WALK TALL appeals as the type to progress now handicapping and is selected with the Williams yard continuing in good form. Ring Bo Ree and Mollys Garden rate dangers. Walk Tall begins his handicap career on a realistic mark having shown promise on his one run in a bumper last season where he finished third behind two fair sorts. His hurdling form leaves a little to be desired but he may have found his niche in this company and is fancied to make his presence felt. Ring Bo Ree improved for the move into the rank and file and is progressing nicely. He's now 20lbs higher than when making his handicap debut but gives the impression that there's more in the locker and should be on the premises with the form of his latest run franked by the winner. Mollys Garden was one place behind Walk Tall at Bangor in December but Charlie Longsdon's horses are in better form now and this Irish point-to-point winner should be at home under these conditions on his handicap bow. Illogical Hope is another handicap debutant from the same stable who is worth a second look as is Festive Chimes who is well handicapped and returned to form last time but we prefer to take a chance with Walk Tall.
Walk Tall (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division until weakened after 7th, 8th of 21, 34l behind Edgbriar (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Held up behind, blundered 11th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Just Smudge (12-1) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Mollys Garden (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up last, headway approaching 5th, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Misbehaviour 20-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, struggling after 6th, plugging on into 7th and no chance when hit 2 out, 7th of 14, 19l behind Rosoff (10-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Ring Bo Ree (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) In touch, mistake and hampered 2 out, chased leaders before last, went 2nd soon after last, one pace and no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Awesome George (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Kanonkop 66-1 (11-2) In touch, hit 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 11th of 15, 40l behind Chaim (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Hippodrome (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 15l behind Sheikhman (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Presque Perdre 40-1 (10-12) Prominent, chased winner 4 out to next, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd again between last 2, no impression, 2nd of 14, 5l behind What A Buzz (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 11th of 15, 36l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Red Rattle (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Always towards rear and pulled up 2 out in race won by Supreme Keano (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Diarius (GER) 9-2jt-fav (10-10) Reluctant to line up, held up last, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 6th of 18, 22l behind Lady Pilot (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
First Boy 85-40fav (10-9) In rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along 5th, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, mistake last, not run on, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Bedizen (11-0) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Exclusionist 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, plugging on at one pace but no chance when ridden after 2 out, 5th of 15, 44l behind Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Hever Road (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, raced wide, led 7th, hit next, ridden, saddle slipped approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Forest Miller (11-4) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in May '07.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 16-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, every chance approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 19, 2l behind Youngstown (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway 4 out, soon chasing winner, weakened before last, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Rocky Ryan (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
