Thinger Licht was no match for new stablemate Lac Sacre in a claimer at Enghien earlier this month and will struggle to turn things around here, despite slightly more favourable terms. Neither of Tony Carroll's French imports make much appeal in this however. HANDAZAN has been running well in better company since winning at Aintree in the autumn. This looks a good chance for Alan King's charge to recapture the winning thread, though In The Crowd could also be interesting, especially if showing the form which saw him beat the useful Bordoni at Warwick in December. Whipcrackaway is only a couple of pounds higher than when second at Sandown last time but maidens Bohemian Rhapsody and Shadarpour probably have a little more scope.
Thinger Licht (FR) (10-10) 2nd of 13, 15l behind Lac Sacre (10-3) at Enghien(FR) 2m 1f 4yo clm hdl gs.
Handazan (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, narrowly headed 3 out, chased leader and every chance next, ridden and one pace when lost 2nd approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Leo Luna (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs.
Lac Sacre (FR) (10-3) won at Enghien(FR) 2m 1f 4yo clm hdl gs beating Thinger Licht (10-10) by 15l, 13 ran.
Whipcrackaway (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Held up in 5th, steady headway before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, led between last two, ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Calculated Risk (11-9) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) hvy.
In The Crowd (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 4th, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, not fluent last, stayed on under pressure to lead again towards finish, won at Wincanton 2m Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gs in Feb beating Suerte Al Salto (11-2) by 1l, 6 ran.
Bohemian Rhapsody (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Towards rear, staying on when went left last, kept on same pace flat, 7th of 14, 21l behind Leo Luna (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs.
Sir Fredlot (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, outpaced after next, stayed on before last, never able to challenge, 4th of 10, 8l behind Tornado In Milan (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Ctappers 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 48l behind Heronry (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Feb.
Shadarpour (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led until narrowly headed 3rd, chased leader until 3 out, soon weakened, blundered last, tailed off, last of 7, 34l behind Irish Saint (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Shot In The Dark (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 27l behind Leo Luna (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs.
