Leicester runner-up Donatello Mail is probably the pick of those with chasing experience but a few of these are likely to do better over fences than over hurdles. Hey Bud had a pipe-opener here in November and has won over the smaller obstacles but Fresh New Dawn hasn’t raced since July, though has handled heavy going in the past. JAYTRACK PARKHOMES won his bumper on heavy ground and was going well over hurdles at the end of last year on surfaces that were probably quicker than ideal – he looks fairly treated switched to fences.
Hey Bud 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat, 9th of 13, 20 3/4l behind Midnight Midge (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Jaytrack Parkhomes 7-2fav (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 6th until before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 16 1/2l behind Annsam (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ibleo (FR) 40-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakening when mistake 2 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Silver Streak (10-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Enrichissant (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, never reached leaders, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Cuban Pete (11-3) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Arcade Attraction (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up rear of mid-division, blundered 1st, never on terms, 7th of 16, 28 1/2l behind Dorking Boy (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Donatello Mail (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, ridden before 2 out, every chance run-in, just held post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Go Steady (11-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Hurricane Arcadio (IRE) 7-2cfav (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on strongly after last, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Kilbrew Boy (12-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Troed Y Melin (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Chasing leaders when unseated rider on 1st turn before 1st fence, at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Fresh New Dawn (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Held up in last pair, mistake 7th, not fluent 2 out, soon driven and outpaced, never able to challenge, 7th of 11, 16 1/4l behind Dovils Date (11-9) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
