Edmaaj can only improve on his C&D third on New Year's Day as he was a very decent performer up to 1m4f on the Flat. He's preferred to stablemate Tackler and probably has more scope than Huntingdon third Bountiful Catch but Fair Trade and LOOKING HOPEFUL look useful opponents. Alan King's six-year-old has already been placed at Ascot and Newbury and has his sights lowered here but Nicky Henderson's gelding wasn't unduly punished when second on his hurdling debut at Plumpton and that kindness may be rewarded now.
Aciano (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) In touch, reminder after 4th, weakened after 4 out, behind when blundered next, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Poet (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Chippy 200-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Abergavenny (11-4) at Southwell 2m n h flat (6) std in Feb.
Consigliori (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Led to before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Two Rockers (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Corres (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, reminders before 7th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Joseph Mercer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Edmaaj (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, under pressure 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on after last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 6, 42l behind Ubaldo Des Menhies (11-5) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.
Emerging Artist (FR) 18-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Midnight Prayer (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Fair Trade 5-2fav (11-0) Took keen hold in touch, smooth headway on inside approaching 3 out, led and came to outside 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 18, 6l behind Poet (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Fraudster (UAE) 66-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden and weakened 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Me Fein (10-1) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Looking Hopeful (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3rd, soon clear until headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Turn Over Sivola (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Monzino (USA) 100-1 (10-4) Mid-division, jumped right, mistake 1st, weakened 5th, soon well behind and pulled up, in a race won by Zarzal (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Tackler (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, reminder after 4th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 20, 23l behind Red Devil Boys (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Our Princess Ellie (USA) 33-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 9l behind Ioannou (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec (flat).
Bountiful Catch 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon outpaced, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Mcvicar (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Son Vida (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked winner until halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 18l behind Ace Of Spies (9-0) at Southwell 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov (flat).
