Palawi has leading claims on his latest defeat of Nine Stories, Alsahil and Rumble Of Thunder over C&D. He's 6lb higher today but should make another bold bid nonetheless. INGLEBY SPIRIT is making rapid strides over timber having won his last two starts over track and trip in good style. Richard Fahey's hurdler is taken to defy an 11lb hike and continue his progress. A Bridge Too Far can be forgiven a below par effort in Grade 2 company last time and is closely matched on earlier form with Shadows Lengthen, while Dontpaytheferryman is another with winning form over these hurdles who should be thereabouts. Dubai Crest looks to have a bit to find, however, as do recent winners Kaolak and Stormy Weather in this better company.
Palawi (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Raced keenly, led after 1st, headed narrowly approaching 3 out, regained lead next, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Jan beating Nine Stories (10-3) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, held up mid-division, headway 3 out, effort and every chance when blundered last, not recover, 6th of 11, 7l behind Palawi (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Jan.
Ingleby Spirit 15-8 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, switched right before next, led last, kept on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Absinthe (11-11) by 16l, 10 ran.
A Bridge Too Far (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Chased leaders on inside, blundered and weakened 3 out, not recover, tailed off and eased, last of 10, well behind Smad Place (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Jan.
Nine Stories (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders on inside, effort 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, went 2nd near finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Palawi (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Jan.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 14-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden and lost touch from 3rd, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Safran De Cotte (9-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Alsahil (USA) 11-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, led narrowly before 3 out, headed next, every chance last, ridden and kept on flat, held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Palawi (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Jan.
Shadows Lengthen 8-1 (11-7) Held up behind, headway on outside 3 out, chased leading pair next, hit last, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Allow Me (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 4-1 (11-5) Made all, pushed along before 3 out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jan beating Knight In Purple (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Book'em Danno (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Pulled hard, led to 1st, tracked leader, led again before 6th, hit next, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 30l behind Hildisvini (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Jan.
Dubai Crest 13-2 (10-8) Held up behind on inside, headway 7th, outpaced on outside 3 out, never on terms, weakened from next, 9th of 10, well behind Arab League (10-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Eurohunter (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Held up in touch, headway to join leader after 4th, led 7th, headed approaching when fell last, in a race won by Suprise Vendor (10-4) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Kaolak (USA) 11-1 (11-2) Led, hard pressed after 4 out, headed narrowly approaching 2 out, regained lead last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Jan beating Eagle Rock (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Stormy Weather (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up in last pair in touch, headway on outside after 5 out, went 2nd next, hung left from 3 out, challenged next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead final 75 yards, all out, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan beating Diamond D'amour (11-5) by 2l, 6 ran.
Conquisto 66-1 (10-4) In touch in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 6th of 21, 19l behind Far Away So Close (9-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
