A tricky-looking maiden hurdle can go the way of Deep Reflection at the main expense of Bouncing King and Missis Potts. The selection has won two of his three bumper runs to date, and now tackling hurdles for the first time, he looks to hold every chance. He showed that he handles soft ground with his last win at Plumpton under a penalty, and as long as he isn't too keen, then he could go in. Bouncing King's form figures suggest that a win is on the cards today, however he was well-beaten at Sedgefield and the drop in trip today doesn't appear to be ideal. However his stable are in good form of present so he must be watched in the market. Missis Potts was a fair fourth in a decent Cheltenham bumper, and if transferring her ability to hurdles then she would rate a major player. However, she has been off the track for over eight months and so fitness must be taken on trust. Of the rest, Cash Man is starting to look exposed but could challenge for further place money, whilst Paddys Tern put in a fair performance last time at Southwell so could go well. However, Deep Reflection looks an exciting prospect and so he gets the tentative vote
Bouncing King 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 18l behind Arctic Echo (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Cash Man (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, blundered last and no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Key Time (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Danahill Lad (USA) 100-1 (10-5) In touch, jumped slowly 2nd, mid-division after, behind from 8th, last of 10, well behind Backbord (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Deep Reflection 16-1 (11-11) Held up, steady headway from halfway, led just inside final 3f, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Nov beating Amble Forge (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Extra Bold 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division and keen, hampered 4th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 37l behind Only For Sue (11-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (2) sft.
Maktu 80-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway on outer approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Aitch Doubleyou (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Mister Cee Jay (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 10th of 18, well behind Ordre de Bataille (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Mountain Mayhem (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner 7th to 3 out, steadily weakened, 5th of 9, 20l behind Oscar Park (11-5) at Windsor 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov '05.
Paddy's Tern 16-1 (10-7) Led and raced keen, hit 2 out, soon headed and weakened, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Im Spartacus (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Sands Island (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 15, 31l behind Seeyaaj (8-10) at Pontefract 1m 2f mdn stk (D) gd in Jul '03 (Flat).
True Tanner 125-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, soon tracking leaders, weakened 5th, 12th of 14, well behind Redi (10-7) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Jan '05.
Winanoscar (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Allaboveboard (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd clm hdl (5) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Marque Deposee (FR) 28-1 (10-1) Always behind, last of 14, well behind Lilac (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Missis Potts 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, effort and ridden 3f out, stayed on final 2f, 4th of 17, 10l behind Classic Fiddle (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f mrs nhf (4) gd in Apr.
Thisoneforthegirls 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened 4f out, 12th of 16, 31l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
