Sun Tzu may need a while to acclimatise at his new yard following a switch from Tom Taaffe and we've just about given up on Mega Watt, who has never threatened to fulfil his potential. The handicapper has raised Carrig An Uisce 8lb for his Lingfield success so we'll take a chance on BLACK PHANTOM. His defeat of Monsieur at Chepstow appeared to surprise connections and punters alike but he probably wouldn't need to improve much on that run to follow up here and he's lightly-raced in comparison to most of today's rivals.
Sun Tzu (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, fell heavily 7th, in a race won by Hatton's Wood (10-13) at Wexford 2m 6f hcp chs 0-109 in Jul, 15 ran.
Mega Watt (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led 3 out, soon headed, weakened and pulled up before last, in a race won by Quipe Me Posted (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May, 8 ran.
Carrig An Uisce (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway 5th, chased leader soon after 3 out, led 2 out, driven between last 2, strongly pressed close home, held on all out, (no time taken), won at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Just Beware (10-5) by hd, 9 ran.
Morocchius (USA) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway when mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 16l behind Break The Chain (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Himrayn 7-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Seaquel (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f cond nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Midnight Spirit 18-1 (10-12) With leaders, outpaced after 5th, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out, 5th of 7, 32l behind Pure Faith (11-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Jul.
Black Phantom (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Always prominent, led 4 out, soon ridden, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov beating Monsieur (11-1) by 7l, 17 ran.
Salybia Bay 11-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind Babilu (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-110) (3yo+) (4) gd in Nov.
Mauritino (GER) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and struggling in rear before 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 42l behind Minnie Hill (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 9-2fav (10-6) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 11, 3l behind Cruchain (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Azione 33-1 (10-4) Made most until headed and weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 25l behind Aather (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec '09.
Nouailhas 20-1 (11-2) Pressed leader, wandered 5th, not fluent 6th, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 15, 19l behind Ruby Valentine (10-3) at Hereford 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Monsieur (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, pulled hard, headway approaching 3rd, challenged 5th, no impression when 2nd from 2 out until flat, one pace, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Marino Prince (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Vin Rose 14-1 (10-8) Held up in last, headway on inside 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 7, 19l behind Isle Of Inishmore (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Kinkeel (IRE) 250-1 (11-1) Always in rear, lost touch 8th, left distant 5th 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Master Minded (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Imperial Royale (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Led, clear after 4th until next, ridden and headed after 3 out, left 2nd next, no extra, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Marino Prince (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Master Paddy (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch until pushed along and weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind High Benefit (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
