It will be interesting to see if there is any market support for French import Taoufick Du Seuil following a lay-off. Captain Sunshine may well have won at Kempton last month had he not ploughed through the last and should be winning soon, while Lovcen was an early casualty when upped in grade at Doncaster last time and is also useful. NELSON'S BRIDGE did well to beat Dualla Lord at Taunton on his hurdling debut, despite running green. He'll know more today and can extend his unbeaten record, though Mr Hooper could be one for the future and Loose Chips continued his upward curve with a victory at Towcester last month.
Loose Chips 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, challenged on bit after 3 out, led before next, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Volcan Surprise (10-4) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lovcen (GER) 4-1 (11-10) Tracking leaders when fell 2nd, in a race won by Rocky Creek (11-6) at Doncaster 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Nelson's Bridge (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, slightly outpaced 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, soon challenged, wandered between last 2, ridden to lead narrowly when carried head awkwardly flat, just held on, won at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan beating Dualla Lord (11-5) by nk, 14 ran.
Admiral Blake 150-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Dildar (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Balinroab (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 12, 34l behind Oscar Nominee (11-2) at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Caminero (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Ww in mid div, in tch 3out, rdn to close aftr 2out, rallied to ld run in, row, won at Maralin 3m ire ptp sft in Nov beating Bumbee (11-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Captain Sunshine 10-11fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway and in touch on outside after 4th, led 3 out, ridden between last 2, 1 length clear when fell last, in a race won by The Druids Nephew (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Jan, 10 ran.
It Is What It Is (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Valley.
Material Boy 33-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, lost place approaching 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Tour D'argent (11-8) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mr Hooper 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, improved 9f out, led over 5f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Gospel Preacher (11-3) by 5l, 13 ran.
Redbridge Rebel 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Harry Topper (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Shaddaii (FR) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 14, well behind Nelson's Bridge (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan.
Sir Roger (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Tarbeck (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Taoufick Du Seuil (FR) (10-1) 2nd of 10, 6l behind Trop Fort (9-10) at Moulins(FR) 1m 3f 3yo nhf gd in Sep '10.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, jumped right and not fluent, mistake 5th, headway approaching 3 out, no impression next, weakened last, 6th of 9, 27l behind Barbatos (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Fortuna Rose 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4th, challenged 7th until 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Lights Of Broadway (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Lynford Nakita 66-1 (10-12) Last pair, struggling before 9th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Aikideau (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Withy Mills 66-1 (11-3) Tracked leader until 4th, weakened after 6th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Lights Of Broadway (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
