LIZ'S DREAM was the very easy winner of a similar contest here last time and has gone up 17lbs as a result, but with trip and bottomless ground in his favour he is taken to follow up, while Immense and Steveys Lad look to be the dangers. The selection was clearly very well handicapped when winning that race and may still be, in spite of the hefty weight rise. Certainly, connections were in no rush to run him under a penalty, so they may be confident that he is still up to the task again this afternoon. Immense attempts to successfully concede weight away all around and has form on soft ground from earlier in his career in France. He has gone up 3lbs for going close at Huntingdon last time and plenty of cut plus a good test of stamina looks to be the key to him now, so he is very much respected. Conversely, Steveys Lad has shown his best form on a sound surface, and so a 4lb rise for his Hexham run last time, plus softer ground, suggest that he is one to take on this afternoon. The Rustlin Rhino is interesting now stepped up markedly in trip. He is related to Grand National winner Silver Birch, so a good test of stamina and cut in the ground should suit him, and on this, his handicap debut he would be very interesting if the market speaks in his favour. Liz's Dream is the one for us.
Immense (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged and going best when blundered badly 2 out, jumped right last, soon edged left, ran on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Sona Sasta (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
The Rustlin Rhino 66-1 (11-1) With leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 9th of 16, 45l behind Gus Macrae (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) sft.
Liz's Dream 9-2fav (10-0) Held up behind, headway 3 out, led on long run to 2 out, soon drew readily clear, easily, won at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Maska Pony (11-12) by 26l, 10 ran.
Steveys Lad (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led until after 2nd, chased leaders, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Old Noddy (11-2) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Easter Vic 80-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place from 4th, 10th of 14, 50l behind Quay Meadow (10-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Sparkling Zola 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Liz's Dream (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 10 ran.
Wor Rom (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Behind, struggling when badly hampered 4 out, tailed off 2 out, 8th of 12, well behind I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Paddington Bob (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off from 4 out, 7th of 10, 45l behind Overturn (11-12) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
The Dunion 25-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, 43l behind Mister Pete (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Billsgrey (IRE) 15-2 (9-12) Towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, 5th of 15, 6l behind Treehouse (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
