OH CRICK looks worth a bet here with Pepsyrock and Free World taken on for various reasons. Alan King's French-bred gelding hasn't been seen since finishing fifth to Planet Of Sound in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November. The form of that run looks very solid with the second and third winning since, and others running good races in defeat recently as well. If all is well with his health after two months on the sidelines, then this Grand Annual winner could take some stopping. Free World is a course-and-distance winner but it is frustrating that he continues to find a rival or two ahead of him at the line; the same looks likely again given his 3lb higher mark. Santa's Son is interesting on his Wetherby win of a year ago, Panjo Bere has bounced back with two solid runs at Ascot and Cheltenham whilst Song Of Songs has shown his best form on a better surface and despite a win here before he is taken on. As is fellow course-and-distance winner Pepsyrock who was well-held at Newbury on his reappearance; better is expected here but he looks badly handicapped. Freds Benefit and I'm So Lucky shouldn't be dismissed for the Pipes, but with Lorient Express well-held by the selection on Grand Annual running, it is the Alan King-trained Oh Crick who can score.
Free World (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Behind, blundered badly 5th, headway to 4th after 12th (old 3 out) stayed on approaching last, chased winner run-in closed near finish always held, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind French Opera (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Dec.
Oh Crick (FR) 11-2 (10-5) Jumped left and mistake 1st, held up in rear, headway 8th, soon ridden, beaten 4 out, 5th of 9, 18l behind Planet Of Sound (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Santa's Son (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Tracked winner, under pressure 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 17l behind Fix The Rib (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (2) gd in Nov.
Panjo Bere (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Behind, hit 8th headway 11th, stayed on same pace on long run to last, 5th of 12, 11l behind French Opera (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Dec.
Pepsyrock (FR) 10-3fav (11-7) Took keen hold, soon in touch, blundered badly 6th, weakening when hit 2 out, 6th of 10, 38l behind Consigliere (11-2) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Song of Songs 8-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, hit 6th, struggling 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th flat, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 17l behind Consigliere (11-2) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Lorient Express (FR) 28-1 (10-11) Prominent, raced keenly, mistakes 3rd and 4th, 4th when blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Oh Crick (11-1) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Freds Benefit (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Led to 4th, chased leader, led 9th, headed 12th (old 3 out) weakened quickly on long run to last, 9th of 12, 25l behind French Opera (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Dec.
I'm So Lucky 28-1 (10-4) Mid-division, moving place and behind when pulled up 11th, in a race won by Tranquil Sea (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
