Alan Swinbank may have found a good opportunity for SAVEIRO to break his duck over hurdles, while Little Promise and Ontrack look to be the dangers. The last-named was the easy winner of an Irish point-to-point in November and has his first start today for trainer Rose Dobbin. That pointing win came on heavy ground, so he will have no problem with conditions and we should keep a check on the market as a guide to confidence on this debut for his trainer. Little Promise carries a penalty for winning over this course and distance last time, and although unproven on heavy he handles soft ground well and pedigree suggests that he will go on this. The penalty is clearly a concern, but that is not to say that he cannot win and he is respected. Bel Hugo is proven with some juice in the ground, although this may be too testing for him, but he will stay every yard here and has more stamina in the locker if required to dig deep. Even so, Saveiro is the one for us. The return to heavy ground looks a plus for the six-year-old, who has been runner-up on his last two starts and looks best off at the weights here, so he gets the nod.
Little Promise (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Led, headed 5th, lost place 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, ridden after last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Pegasus Prince (10-9) by hd, 8 ran.
Arc Warrior (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, hampered 3rd, headway and in touch 5th, went 3rd 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Turbo Island (11-3) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Bel Hugo (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Led, jumped left 1st, jumped left 2nd and headed, chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Whats Up Woody (11-10) at Carlisle 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Birnies Boy 200-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, keen and led approaching 3rd, headed approaching 7th, weakened from 8th, tailed off, soon pulled up, in a race won by Wymott (11-8) at Haydock 3m 1f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Earl Grez (FR) 200-1 (10-11) Took keen hold early, mistake 1st, prominent until weakened after 6th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Double Expresso (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Ontrack (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Ww rr, 8th 6out, prog in 5th bef 3out, cl 2nd from 2out & ld when better jump last, sow flat, easily, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov beating Zest For Life (12-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Saveiro (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, soon headed, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 18l behind Nafaath (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
