Colin Tizzard is struggling to find a race for TIKKAPICK but this looks a good opportunity to get off the mark against modest opposition – the six-year-old has been placed in his last two and probably needs a test of stamina. The mare Trehan Cross didn't run badly back under Rules at Exeter but How's My Friend hasn't run in a handicap since 2012 and is having his first start since March last year. Albatros De Guye is hard to catch right while Broome Lane is 13lb higher than when scoring at Chepstow in April.
How's My Friend 7-2 (12-0) Led to 2; outpcd 13; kpt on 3 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Perfectly Willing (12-0) at Larkhill 3m gf in Mar.
Broome Lane 17-2 (10-13) Always in rear, struggling before 5th, tailed off 7th, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Tikkapick (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Slow jump 1st, chased leaders, close up when blundered 4 out, soon outpaced, modest 3rd from next, tailed off, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Royal Salute (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Albatros De Guye (FR) 50-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, mid-division, struggling 9th, pulled up before 12th, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Shanann Star (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) (cp) made most til hdd 4 out; no ex, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Jepeck (12-0) at Trebudannon 3m 4f gs in Apr.
Trehan Cross 33-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, outpaced before 4 out, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Umberto D'olivate (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Minmore Grey (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Always behind, tailed off 12th, 8th of 9, 32 1/2l behind Somerset Lias (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Comical Red 100-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened from 8th, tailed off, 3rd of 5, dist behind Drumlee Sunset (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
