After improving for a step up in trip and an introduction to these ranks last time KILSHANNIG should be able to follow up in this Novice Handicap Hurdle in front of Rebeccas Choice while Alan Swinbank has a good record here and his Go On Be A Lady has a chance. A mark rise of four pounds is the lenient penalty allotted to the pick for his staying on success at Southwell last time. Given that was his handicap debut he should be able to show us a bit more. Rebeccas Choice has looked an improved performer this season and only found an in-form animal too good on his latest run. He may go to Wetherby instead but we would still prefer our pick even if he does show up. 29% is the strike rate for Alan Swinbank's charges at this track in recent years and while Go On Be A Lady has gone well in two handicap starts this trip might be beyond her. Samizdat should go well if taking his chance here after running well when being given too much to do last time but this looks set up for Kilshannig.
Aconitum (GER) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, struggling after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Callerlilly (11-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Nathan Dee 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, hit last, 5th of 9, 18l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before next, soon hard pressed, kept on until ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Petroglyph (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Kilshannig (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, took closer order 7th, ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f 4yo hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd beating She Is A Cracker (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Skip The Present (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Keen early, always behind, mistake 4th, lost touch next, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind High Carol (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Go On Be A Lady 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching last, 4th of 12, 13l behind Olifan d'Oudairies (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Samizdat (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, one pace from last, 5th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Hello You 7-1 (11-0) Towards rear, bumped 3rd, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 43l behind Runaround Sue (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun '08.
Elegant Olive 100-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 15, 26l behind Asturienne (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Galley Slave (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 15l behind Kilshannig (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f 4yo hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Estrica (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Behind, headway approaching 3 out, challenged on inside and chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 7l behind Ballabrook (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f am nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Sir Punjabi 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, jumped left and not fluent 3rd, weakened after 5th, hit 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Sereth (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
