From a shortlist of Aachen, Mamlook, Oldrik and ALFIE SPINNER, it is the last-named who looks most dangerous off bottom-weight. With the Nick Williams yard in good form, the selection looks worth chancing on his handicap debut. He has proven that soft ground holds no fears but he is adaptable with regards to the ground and this progressive novice is nominated. Harry Tricker is a classy sort but it is no surprise that they claim off him, whilst fellow top-weights Stravinsky Dance and Mamlook look like dangers, especially the latter who appears to be on a nice mark. Michael Flips needs to start fulfilling his potential, Aachen needs a market check on this reappearance run while Qozak represents powerful connections and is feared. He was progressive last season and still looks nicely treated off this mark of 129. Oldrik's consistency means the handicapper is in charge, Mighty Moon needs a market check on this comeback, whilst no-one is riding better than Noel Fehily at present so Cranky Corner needs a cursory glance at least. Tullamore Dew ran well last time and rates another danger.
Harry Tricker 6-1fav (10-3) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, still every chance flat, stayed on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Khyber Kim (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Stravinsky Dance (10-1) 9th of 11, well behind Rendons Grace (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f hdl sft in Jun.
Mamlook (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, every chance after 3 out, weakened after next, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Celestial Halo (11-10) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Micheal Flips (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 6th of 12, 6l behind Fairyland (10-8) at Newbury 2m listed hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gs in Nov.
Aachen 2-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, effort and hit 2 out, weakened and left 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 28l behind Tataniano (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, led and hit 3 out, ridden approaching next, ridden and edged left flat, soon headed, rallied near finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Dontpaytheferryman (9-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Wingman (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Mid-division, driven 5th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out, 21st of 24, well behind Joe Jo Star (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Tender Falcon 25-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, mistake and fell 3 out, in a race won by Zabeel Palace (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 10th, outpaced 4 out, soon lost place, outpaced when pecked next, soon weakened, 4th of 5, well behind Minella Theatre (11-1) at Hereford 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Qozak (FR) 10-3 (10-13) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, challenged going well from 3 out, no extra flat, 4th of 21, 5l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl 4yo+ (2) gs in Apr.
Oldrik (GER) 10-1 (10-7) In rear, headway bend approaching 2 out, soon went 3rd, ridden and every chance last, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Zabeel Palace (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Cranky Corner 7-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, one pace in 5th, approaching last when fell, in a race won by Kerada (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) (limited comments due to very poor visibility) tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 3 out, in lead approaching last, clear flat (no time taken), won at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec beating Swincombe Rock (10-12) by 7l, 16 ran.
Mighty Moon 13-8fav (11-8) Tracked leaders and not fluent, challenged 3 out, weakened from last, 2nd of 14, 10l behind Merrydown (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
