Verdict

The phrase wide open probably isn't sufficient for this good looking Handicap Chase but SHERIFF HUTTON looks well treated after his run last time and we marginally suggest he's the one to be with ahead of last time out winner Flake while any market support for Jack The Blaster would be significant. Up a couple of pounds for not being far beaten by a horse he was giving 18lbs to last time the pick can be thought as well weighted after the form has been given a couple of boosts. He does act on ground this soft and the step down in trip is also a plus. Flake is unbeaten in three starts at this track and won easily enough in bottomless ground on his latest effort. He should be able to handle his latest mark hike but the pick looks better treated. Jack The Blaster has run well off this rating a few times recently so should be in with a chance again while Or d'Oudairies returned well enough from an absence last time and looks competitive. A really good contest this and Sheriff Hutton just about looks the best treated.

Formwatch

Harmony Brig (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Behind, mistake 10th, struggling 12th, tailed off 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind Beat The Boys (10-12) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.

Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) With leader, led 8th to 13th, led again 2 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.

Brave Rebellion 40-1 (10-0) Headway after 2 out, hung right and weakened from last, 4th of 5, 30l behind Money Trix (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (2) sft.

Flake 9-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, led approaching 3 out, clear approaching last, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy beating Canada Street (10-8) by 8l, 7 ran.

Jack The Blaster 14-1 (11-6) Held up behind, steady headway 4 out, effort when jumped left 2 out, ridden and hung left under pressure flat, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Native Coral (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.

Quws Law (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up mid-division, mistake 2nd, lost place approaching 5th, pushed along and reminders after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Never So Blue (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.

Or de Grugy (FR) 18-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 4th of 10, 14l behind My Arch (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.

Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place and dropped rear 5th, no danger after, 5th of 7, 40l behind Deep Reflection (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.

Or d'Oudairies (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, led 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Newman Des Plages (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.

King Of The Arctic (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up, tracked leaders 5th, outpaced 4 out, 5th of 8, 23l behind Pamak D'airy (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.

Nouveau Maire (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 12th and pulled up, in a race won by Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 10 ran.

Stormin Exit (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed when jumped left 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 27l behind Chicago Grey (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.