Old-timer High Counsel, who holds Motown Lake on the form book, didn’t do a lot wrong when third on his reappearance at Uttoxeter and likes it here. Something may have been amiss with Versatility last time and he’s had a few weeks off while Manintheshadows has won three times over hurdles since pulled up on his chasing bow a little under a year ago. The lightly-raced Ballaquane made a winning start over the larger obstacles at Fontwell but a switch to fences can only help PILOT SHOW, who beat a subsequent chase winner now rated 114 in a point last year and has been marking time over timber.
Lyrical Genius (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and hard pressed from 13th, headed 5 out, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 9, 32 3/4l behind Jet Plane (11-6) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Guillemot (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake and slithered on landing 11th, in rear and pulled up after 13th, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Ballaquane (IRE) 9-4 (11-9) Close up, not fluent 11th (usual 12th), ridden to lead 2 out (usual 3 out), ran on but idled close home, always doing enough, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Dindin (11-2) by 2l, 4 ran.
Manintheshadows (IRE) 5-1 (12-1) Chased leader, led and wandered into 3rd, went mostly clear from 5th, reduced lead 4 out, pushed along turning in, strongly pressed and hit last, kept on well to assert final 100 yards, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Pottlerath (11-9) by 1l, 10 ran.
Pilot Show (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, struggling after 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, 25 1/2l behind Langley Hundred (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Versatility 12-1 (11-6) Held up behind leaders, mistake and lost place 2nd, last next, mistake 6th, well behind 10th, pulled up after, at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Motown Lake (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Midfield, ridden 5 out, no extra, 6th of 9, 30 3/4l behind High Counsel (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
High Counsel (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 8th, headed 4 out, soon pushed along, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 6 3/4l behind Easkey Lad (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Puppet Warrior 80-1 (10-7) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 4th, closed after 7th, mistake when struggling 9th, behind from 11th, 6th of 8, dist behind Faustinovick (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
