We end with a handicap hurdle in which FOUR STRONG WINDS should improve for handicap company proper and prove a little too strong for Comehomequietly and King Mak, who both look handy at the weights. Having caught the eye in a couple of Novice runs the pick didn't quit live up to his billing at Sandown last time out. He should still be capable of better and it looks too early to rule him out off this sort of mark. Comehomequietly ran a really good race in defeat on his last start under his current burden and a similar effort should have this former winning pointer going close. King Mak looked back to near his best last time and was only beaten by a well-handicapped contender. He's shown us more in the past so if he is back in fine fettle then he also has decent claims. Empty Sky got up to win his latest start but that was in a claimer so he has more to do now and in an intriguing end to the card we just go with Four Strong Winds.
Front Rank (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 32l behind Cassius (11-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Empty Sky 8-1 (11-1) Made all, 2 lengths clear last, driven clear flat, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) sft beating Novikov (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Four Strong Winds (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened last, 4th of 8, 5l behind L'homme De Nuit (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Comehomequietly (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, led 3 out, ridden next, headed before last, weakened flat, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Galaxy Rock (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Slavonic Lake 50-1 (11-12) Led until after 1st, prominent until weakened approaching 5th, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Viable (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Hayes Princess (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 14l behind Orbital Orchid (10-10) at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Take It There 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, headway and in touch 9th, driven and effort approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Sagalyrique (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
King Mak 10-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 2 out, kept on to press winner and every chance until ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Deep Reflection (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Treeko (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until 4th, remained close up, ridden and hit 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 12, 26l behind Weststern (10-6) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Friends of Tina (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, fell 7th, in a race won by Far More Serious (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 14 ran.