tracked leader, effort to lead briefly before 3 out, every chance next, mistake last, kept on flat, not pace of winner
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden, kept on same pace from next, no impression with leading pair
behind, struggling 7th, never dangerous
held up, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden, no impression from next
close up on outside, lost place 6th, under pressure when not fluent 8th, no chance when mistake 3 out
led to before 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next
raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, quickened clear flat, eased near finish, readily
CANDY CREEK is the suggestion to land a competitive opener, while Backstage and Alvarado also come into the race with chances. The Nicky Henderson-trained pick meets Backstage on the same terms as if this were a handicap and is slightly better off with her other chief rival. She is so far proven on good ground or slower, so she won't mind if the rains come, and she was looked after when beaten last time, when although not as good as the winner, she did at least prove that she stays something like this trip. Back on a sound surface, we will side with her. Backstage is also proven in all conditions, though he appears to produce his best when it is good or faster. He was last seen winning comfortably over fences at Ffos Las frm a mark of 137, and if he were able to transmit that to hurdles then he would look well-in here, so he is a threat. Alvarado has won three of his five starts, including a bumper here. He defied shocking conditions to hose up at Carlisle when last seen in November, and after two wins in this sphere his double penalty gives him top weight, but there could be more to come and he adds further fascination to the contest. Bubbly Breeze is also likely to be a good debutant also from the Howard Johnson yard, while Tenjack King also has his first taste of hurdling and as one rated in the high-70s on the Flat he could go well. A really good race for the track and Candy Creek gets the vote.
Alvarado (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd on bit approaching 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov beating Scottish Munros (10-9) by 7l, 5 ran.
Backstage (FR) 15-2 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 14th, chased leaders 5 out, led 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Aug beating Nostringsattached (9-9) by 10l, 17 ran.
Bubbly Breeze (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, 9th of 12, 48l behind Bishops Heir (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Carters Rest 9-2 (10-11) Held up, pushed along 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Cuigny (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened from 6th, 7th of 15, 32l behind Tilt (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Devil Water 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced 9th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Simonsberg (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Candy Creek (IRE) 8-13fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 7th, soon chasing leaders, every chance last, hard ridden and weakened close home, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Tenjack King 100-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along 8f out, soon in rear, behind 5f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Clear Reef (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec (flat).
