HOLLINS could be a cut above these but he will given a solid test by Diklers Oscar and Bivouac. Micky Hammond has always held this horse in high regard and his performance last time out suggests he was right to do so. A well made sort, the heavy going should not represent a major problem. Diklers Oscar is in receipt of weight from our selection. She made all to score readily in what was a very ordinary race. Bivouac won a selling hurdle at Kelso and while beaten next time out, appeared to have gained plenty of confidence from getting the head infront. Bishops Heir has looked useful in bumpers and today will give Jimmy Ewart an idea of where his future lies. Caerlaverock rated in the 80's on the flat for Alan Swinbank and could literally be anything over hurdles. Saddlers Deal was a little disappointing at Catterick though the jockey bookings suggest he may be the better of the Malcolm Jefferson pair. Baileys Surprise had ran well in a couple of bumpers before absence and the market will give us an idea as to what we should expect on this return from it. This is an above average event by the track's standards and our vote is for Hollins.
Bishops Heir 7-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, led 2 out, driven out, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Carters Rest (10-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Bivouac (UAE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 10, 6l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Hollins 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, left in lead 3 out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Hey Charlie (10-11) by 10l, 14 ran.
Amical Risks (FR) 7-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear kept on entering final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Beat The Shower (8-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct (flat).
Baileys Surprise (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, effort over 6f out, kept on final 3f, 4th of 19, 17l behind Crackerjack Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb '08.
Betterthanlikely Presenting gelding out of Mrs Jodi.
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.
Caerlaverock (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Held up, chased leaders over 5f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Beside The Fire (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Diklers Oscar (IRE) 4-7fav (11-2) Made all, drew clear on bit from 2 out, easily, won at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Gwyre (10-5) by 11l, 16 ran.
Marieschi (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Signalman (10-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov '08.
Paddington Bob (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 37l behind Ascendant (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Saddlers Deal (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3rd to 5th, led again next, headed when hit 8th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Milans Man (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Top It All 20-1 (11-4) Always behind, 12th of 14, 36l behind Tocca Ferro (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Uncle Michael 20-1 (11-0) Prominent to 3rd, behind from 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Ruby Queen (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden halfway, tailed off approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Dais Return (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
