Several disappointing types in this but veteran Grand Vision won this last year when only a pound lower and Colin Tizzard also runs Silverhow. Brother Tedd could be interesting if fully wound-up, though would have preferred faster going. Opening Batsman showed a glimpse of his old form here last time but Magic Saint may still be a few pounds too high, though should reverse Ascot running with Valdez on better terms. Bigmartre is often let down by his jumping so we’ll take a chance on HENRYVILLE, who has plummeted down the handicap and should have benefited from a run over hurdles last month.
Bigmartre (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Led, ridden, mistake and headed 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Capeland (11-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Valdez 25-1 (11-10) Held up in last trio, steady headway before 11th, modest 4th 4 out, kept on, 4th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Hell's Kitchen (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Magic Saint (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Held up well off the pace in rear, steady headway approaching 11th, modest 5th 4 out, plugged on, 5th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Hell's Kitchen (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Henryville 40-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway approaching 3rd, led before next, soon went clear, reduced lead before 5th, not fluent 7th, headed next, weakened quickly after, 9th of 10, dist behind Virginia Chick (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Grand Vision (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, no impression after, well held 6th when mistake 2 out, 7th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Doitforthevillage (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Brother Tedd 2-1fav (10-5) Held up in touch in rear, headway 11th, challenged next, led 2 out, driven, blundered and headed last, no impression on winner after, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Alcala (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Silverhow (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tended to jump right, in touch in about 6th on inside, hit 7th, pushed along and struggling to go the pace before 12th, no chance after, 5th of 13, 19 1/2l behind Siruh Du Lac (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Opening Batsman (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Led, headed 5th, left in lead next, headed before 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Calipto (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
