A competitive opener in which Lickpenny Larry carries a penalty for last weekend's all-the-way victory at Plumpton. If allowed a similar lead here he'll be difficult to catch. Mondo Cane is 1-18 over fences and still looks a few pounds high as does Frankie Ballou, who completed a Sedgefield double before finding 7lb extra just too much to handle on his hat-trick attempt back there. ULIS DE VASSY (NAP) runs better here than anywhere else and has won twice already here this winter. He's just 4lb higher than his last winning mark and can score again with his rider's claim a bonus. Lightentertainment went up 9lb for scoring at Lingfield and couldn't handle the extra at Chepstow.
Beni Light (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Chased leading pair, 2nd at 7th, lost 2nd 10th, chased leaders blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 4 out, tailed off when blundered badly 3 out, soon pulled up, at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Mondo Cane (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Jumped left at times, tracked leader, pecked 5th, led before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, headed last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Kilinakin (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Frankie Ballou (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd from 7 out, ridden and every chance before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Oak Vintage (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Ulis De Vassy (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Not that fluent, held up, hampered 4 out, modest effort under pressure after 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Jackthejourneyman (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (5) gs in Mar.
That's The Deal (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place when hit 8th, struggling before not fluent 13th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Lightentertainment (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Led, pushed along after home turn, headed before omitted 3 out, one pace and no impression after, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Beallandendall (11-9) at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Lickpenny Larry 3-1 (10-4) Made all, clear from 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Apr beating Crafty Roberto (11-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5th, outpaced bypassing omitted 3 out, 4th and well held after, 4th of 6, 22l behind Beallandendall (11-9) at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
