Two of Snowed In’s three victories over hurdles have come at Catterick and he looks worth opposing here under a penalty. Free Stone Hill runs in his first handicap after placed efforts at Worcester and here in November but he doesn’t look particularly well treated. Ifandbutwhynot is on a decent mark but not getting any younger and hasn’t won in almost two years. PERSEID has three wins and a place from five runs around here. He looked beaten last time but rallied strongly to get back up and may be capable of defying another 6lb rise. Hartside wasn’t beaten far at Wetherby on Boxing Day but had earlier finished behind Ifandbutwhynot at the same track.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) In rear, headway before 4 out, in 4th from last, weakened run-in, 5th of 9, 13l behind Boite (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
The Herds Garden 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, fell 4th, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Hartside (GER) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, went 3rd flat, kept on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Lift The Lid (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Perseid (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, hit next and soon headed, 3 lengths down next, rallied to lead again towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Spiculas (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Free Stone Hill (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In rear, headway to take 2nd from 3 out, kept on same pace in 3rd before last, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Prime Venture (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Beeno (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra, 4th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Marcus Antonius (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Theatre Act 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led before 4 out, headed before 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 30 3/4l behind Bells On Sunday (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Snowed In (IRE) 9-4fav (10-4) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, driven out, comfortably, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Heaven Scent (10-7) by 8l, 7 ran.
