Dennick has a good chance of landing himself a three-timer on these terms and is selected in preference to Shares, Muckle Flugga and Fair Spin. The last named has bits and pieces of form that suggest he can go well in this company and, as Graham Lee knows him well, a bold bid cannot be ruled out. However, his last few starts have suggested that the handicapper is in charge and he may need some respite before he can confidently be recommended. Muckle Flugga was unlucky to be brought down before she had wound up with her challenge at Ayr when he was last seen out. Nicky Richards has given her plenty of time to get over the mishap and she is one to monitor closely in the betting today. Shares is also shortlisted, as he has progressed nicely since the start of the season. He ran a good race over course and distance on his penultimate start and will be a big danger if running to that level again here. He took a soft fall at Ayr last month but will be a leading player if his jumping holds together today. Even so, Dennick makes a touch more appeal at the weights and, as he is really on a roll at present, it will take a good effort from any of the rest to peg him back this afternoon.
Shares (IRE) 11-4fav (9-12) Held up in touch when fell 6th fell at the 6th in race won by Do L'enfant D'eau (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Fair Spin 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven 5 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 37l behind Flake (10-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Diamond Mick 6-1 (10-9) In touch, hit 3rd, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, 22l behind Birdwatch (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Dennick 11-4 (12-0) In touch, headway to lead 4th, clear when ridden 2 out, just held on, won at Chepstow 2m 4yo nov clm hdl (5) sft in Jan beating Inchcape Rock (10-10) by a shd, 12 ran.
Muckle Flugga (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, badly hampered and brought down at the 2nd in race won by Birdwatch (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Merryvale Man 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, beaten when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Polar Gunner (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Oscar D'hyrome (FR) 16-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, 5th of 11, 8l behind Overstrand (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Woodford Consult 3-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 5th, hung left and rallying in 4th when ran out 3 out in race won by Imperial Royale (11-1) at Leicester 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb, 9 ran.