Tim Vaughan's unexposed Cloudier is weighted for a big run but with him unproven in testing conditions we prefer last time out winner MINELLA FOR FOOD with David Pipe's Brandy Butter also making some appeal. Despite having terms not in his favour the selection ran really well on testing ground in Ireland early in his career. He was an easy enough scorer in soft ground on his first visit here last time and with this race at the same standard he has a chance to follow up. At the weights Cloudier should be the main protagonist as he drops to the level of his sole win so far. That though came on fast ground and we wait to see if these conditions will suit. Brandy Butter hasn't had a great deal of experience over jumps but is with a top yrad and may be capable of better than he's shown. Wrickson's Bridge has a chance at the weights and his stamina should counteract the sharper trip in these conditions while Roaming West has seven lengths to find on the pick after their last meeting. A tough race to start made tougher by the conditions but Minella For Food acts on this and should follow up.
Minella For Food (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leader after 1st, still 2nd approaching 3 out, in lead when in view towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs beating Apocal (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Go Johnny Go (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place after 2nd, weakened 4th, 5th of 11, 38l behind Minella For Food (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs.
Ninety Nine Looks (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Flowonlovelyriver (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd, 14 ran.
Wricksons Bridge (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, reminders after 5th, mistake next, weakened from 4 out, last of 5, 35l behind Hopeful Start (11-5) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Roaming West (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 4th, 5th before 3 out, in 3rd when in view towards finish, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Minella For Food (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs.
Cloudier 5-1 (11-11) In rear, progress 4 out, went 4th after 3 out, ridden kept on to go 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Michigan Assassin (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Forty Knights 100-1 (10-10) Mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Lady Jinks (10-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd, 12 ran.
Money Finder 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 9th of 13, well behind Evella (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd.
Silver Dove 40-1 (10-13) Ran green, in rear when ran very wide on first turn, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Mizzurka (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mare NH flat (5) sft in Jan.
Brandy Butter 11-1 (10-7) In touch after 2nd, ridden after 5th, struggling 7th, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Putney Bridge (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
