This step up in trip should suit GENERAL KUTUZOV, who is taken to get the better of Sandynow. The selection stayed on well to win over shorter than this on heavy ground at Lingfield last time. Admittedly, the company that day was not strong, but this is not exactly red hot either, and with the longer trip taken as a positive he can continue his improvement to win again. Sandynow also enjoys bottomless ground and was a game winner at Warwick last time over a similar trip to this. He looks primed for another good run and should get heavily involved. Dancing Origyn went close over course and distance last time out and is progessing nicely enough. Richard Lee's gelding could have a say, while Born Again was not disgraced at Southwell behind the useful Tocca Ferro and is suited by cut, while the step up in trip looks a very positive move for the mount of A P McCoy. Rif should improve for his hurdling introduction at Chepstow, though may be better when the ground dries up, and preference is for General Kutuzov.
General Kutuzov (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 2 out, soon clear, ridden out flat, kept on strongly, won at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan beating Quintessentially (11-4) by 7l, 11 ran.
Sandynow (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 7th, headed just after 3 out, led again before 2 out, stayed on under pressure (no time taken), won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Divy (11-0) by 6l, 18 ran.
Born Again (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, kept on, never troubled leading pair, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Tocca Ferro (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Daring Origyn (FR) 3-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders before last and every chance as winner not fluent, stayed on but held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Peveril (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Macdougal (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, fell 4th, in a race won by Cunning Clarets (10-12) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Mr Valentino (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, weaknened approaching last, 5th of 12, 17l behind Will Be Done (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Radical Bay 28-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led after 4f, headed 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, well behind Lucky Sunny (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Rey Nacarado (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 38l behind Little George (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Rif (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Silver Kate (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Supreme Plan (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, well behind Wishfull Thinking (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Whiteabbey (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up, effort from 8th, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 46l behind Predictive (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
