Blushing Bull looks the one to be on in this handicap hurdle and he is taken to score at the main expense of Mythical King and Dark'n Sharp. The selection was all-out to beat In Accord on very testing ground at Uttoxeter last time, but he showed a game attitude that day and his rider Ruby Walsh was confident that he would improve for the run so he is difficult to oppose here under similar conditions. Mythical King is respected as a big danger as he will relish these conditions and he won in facile fashion last time when beating Nick's Choice. However, that was a fairly moderate contest and he looks to have more on his plate this afternoon. Dark'n Sharp would have claims on the pick of his form and he is proven on this surface, but he has not been seen out on the racecourse for 22 months so the chances are he will need this run. Vicars Destiny has ability and is another with place claims, but for the winner we will stick with Blushing Bull.
Mythical King (IRE) 12-1 Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft beating Nick's Choice by 20l, 12 ran.
Blushing Bull 3-10fav Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon challenged, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Jan beating In Accord by a nk, 6 ran.
Dark'n Sharp (GER) 9-4jt-fav Held up, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, 5 lengths 3rd and beaten when mistake and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Poliantas at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr '03, 7 ran.
Vicars Destiny 33-1 Held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 10, 9l behind Bongo Fury at Doncaster 2m mrs hcp hdl (B) gd in Jan.
Water Quirl (GER) 50-1 In touch, hit 2nd, weakened quickly after 3 out, 9th of 11, 31l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.
