PENN DA BENN seems to have been freshened up by a switch of stables and Alan King's gelding is fancied to win again at the main expense of Leo McGarry, The Wooden Spoon and Pretty Star. The selection was a surprise 12/1 winner last time out at Exeter where he made the most of the handicapper dropping him a total of 8lbs from his opening handicap mark. Now he has a 10lb rise in the weights to contend with but he won very easily last time and with confidence boosted he can land this prize. The Wooden Spoon is consistent but at eleven years of age it is unlikely that he is improving and the feeling is that he is now high enough in the weights. Pretty Star has a rise in the weights to contend with but he is still not badly treated on old form and a drop in trip will suit him this afternoon. Leo McGarry has a nice racing weight and he caught a tartar last time, however the feeling is that he needs to improve. Sophist has his first start for the yard today and must be afforded plenty of respect if the market moves in his favour, whilst Enhancer and Balthazaar King are both consistent. The latter is trained by Phillip Hobbs and his third behind Missoula last time looks solid form. A mark of 116 for this handicap debut is a fair starting point and presumably the stable will know where they stand with their former inmate Penn Da Benn; however we will stick with the last-named as the selection.
Dusky Lord 5-1 (11-5) Mistake 2nd, held up towards rear, driven and struggling well before 2 out, 8th of 17, 24l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr '07.
Penn Da Benn (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, led on bit 2 out, shaken up last, pushed out, readily, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Wychwoods Legend (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
The Wooden Spoon (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, headway after 8th, challenged 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, went left last, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Pretty Star (GER) 13-2 (11-8) Mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 14th, ridden to challenge after 2nd last, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 17l behind Ferimon (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Enhancer 10-3 (11-0) Held up, pushed along 9th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 46l behind Seymour Weld (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Jun.
Balthazar King (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on without threatening, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Silent Wind (GER) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace last, 5th of 13, 7l behind Princess Flame (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Wheres Johnny 8-1 (11-1) Pecked 1st, always in rear, 7th of 10, 40l behind Rustarix (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Mister Pink 13-2 (11-3) In touch, weakened 10th, tailed off after next, 5th of 8, well behind Phone In (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Isle de Maurice 40-1 (10-4) In rear, driven along after 3 out, never a factor, 9th of 19, 24l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Leo McGarry (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 7, 27l behind Snake Charmer (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Sophist (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 6th of 9, 37l behind Window Of Hope (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chs gs in Sept.
