A switch to fences should suit winning pointer Mine's A Pint and Pilansberg looked a promising hurdler earlier in his career but Cruiseaweigh still has much to prove after being pulled up on his reappearance at Newbury. BROUGHTONS RHYTHM was denied a good opportunity at Lingfield earlier this week but can take advantage of the 7lb he receives here from recent Ffos Las winner Mixchievous, who may have preferred softer ground. Oliver Sherwood’s novice has placed in three of his five chase starts to date and may have won at Lingfield in November had he not unseated his rider at the last.
Pilansberg 11-2 (11-11) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 2 out, mistake 2 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 12, 20 3/4l behind Myplaceatmidnight (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Cruiseaweigh (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Held up in 4th place and keen, dropped to last after 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mixchievous 4-1 (11-2) Led in start, held up in rear, steady headway 9th, challenged in 2nd and mistake last, stayed on to lead post, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Cougar's Gold (10-9) by ns, 8 ran.
Drops Of Jupitor (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Keen jumped right 1st and soon led, jumped right again 5th, ridden and headed on long run to 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 36 1/2l behind Vengeur De Guye (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Broughtons Rhythm 5-1 (11-11) Waited with in rear, gained a place after 5th, tracking leaders when mistake 4 out, 2nd next, ridden and one pace between last 2, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Railroad Junkie (11-11) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Mine's A Pint 20-1 (11-2) Raced wide towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 21l behind Golden Whisky (12-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Flabello (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Hdwy 11; wknd aft 4 out; wl bhnd when pu last, at Guilsborough 3m gd in Apr.
