A poor finale can be taken by CAHEERLOCH, while Oscar Owen and Fair Shake can get involved at the business end. This is certainly not a race to dwell on and Caheerloch at least represents a trainer whose runners have come to hand since the turn of the year. He handles cut in the ground well and has been progessive on a minor scale over hurdles so far. There is not much to beat and we hope that he can step up to the mark today. Oscar Owen has shown glimpses of form and handles good to soft ground, though has to prove himself on going as testing as this, but he has some hope of picking up prize money if able to perform to his best. Fair Shake won a heavy ground Stratford handicap hurdle a couple of years back from a mark of 80, and is just 1lb higher today, though recent efforts would not have you lumping on. Split The Wind is a rare National Hunt runner for trainer Giles Bravery and in context she ran with credit here in a seller in December, so you couldn't say that she had no chance. There is always the possibility that the first-time visor will help Grand Article find something we haven't seen so far, but Caheerloch gets the most tentative of votes in the last.
Uncle Lionel 125-1 (11-0) Always behind, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Sandynow (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Grand Article (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led, hit 6th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened from next, beaten when hung left flat, 4th of 8, 13l behind Harcourt (10-4) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Caheerloch (IRE) 4-1fav (10-3) Tracked leaders, one pace 3 out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Dontpaytheferryman (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Split The Wind (USA) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, struggling 5th, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Prince Geeno (11-9) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Samizdat (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) In touch, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, one pace between last 2, 6th of 12, 12l behind I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Heroes 9-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, raced keenly, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 11, 24l behind Peaceful Means (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (4) gd in Jul.
Fair Shake (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Mid-division and outside, lost place 7th, soon behind, 12th of 13, well behind Star Galaxy (9-9) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Tom O'Tara 22-1 (9-13) Mid-division, hit 6th, in touch and ridden before 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, 11th of 13, well behind Ballabrook (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f am nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Oscar Owen (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 3rd to 4th, ridden approaching 7th, weakened well before 3 out, 5th of 14, 33l behind Sovereign Spirit (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Dec.
Sophisticated Lady 33-1 (9-11) Held up, chased leaders approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last until no extra run-in, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Home She Goes (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (4) sft in Jan.
Bampy's Last 200-1 (10-11) Mistake, always towards rear, held up 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Vino Griego (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Freila Shawley (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up when fell 2nd, in a race won by Romney Marsh (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (5) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
