Amicelli is taken to get the better of Manx Royal, Quid Pro Quo and Wild Oats in this beginners' chase. Amicelli was successful three times over hurdles, but after finishing third to Black Jack Ketchum at Cheltenham in December, the decision was made to put him over fences this year. He looked to have every chance on his introduction at Exeter in January but was stopped in his tracks by a blunder three out and had to settle for fourth behind Idle Talk. Sure to have been well schooled, he has the class to prevail. Manx Royal was put in his place by Hot Weld when odds-on for his chase debut at Musselburgh last month, but the slightly easier conditions here should help, while Quid Pro Quo may have been flattered by his proximity to Cruising River here last time, but he has won a bumper and a hurdles race here in the past and hails from the stable that collected 12 months ago with Red Devil Robert. In addition he holds Wild Oats on latest running and could be a big danger to the selection, which is Amicelli.
Amicelli (GER) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, close 4th and ridden when mistake 3 out, kept on run-in, 4th of 6, 5l behind Idle Talk (11-10) at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Dante's Promise (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, led after 6th to 7th, weakening when mistake 2 out, 7th of 13, 48l behind Adventurist (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Feb.
Manx Royal (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) Held up in rear, fluent 10th, driven and headway after 4 out, went 2nd next, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 22l behind Hot Weld (10-13) at Musselburgh 3m beg chs (4) gf in Feb.
Monteforte 11-2jt-fav (11-11) Prominent until weakened quickly pulled up 5 out in race won by Drumbeater (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Quid Pro Quo (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Chased leader, led 7th to 8th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on well from last, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cruising River (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd in Dec.
Wild Oats 16-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden, headway after 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Even More (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Saddlers Cloth (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden after 11th, mistake 13th and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Concert Pianist (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Master Billyboy (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Jumped right 2nd, pecked 3rd, lost touch 9th, no impression, 5th of 10, well behind Racing Demon (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
