The most competitive race on the card as several arrive here on the back of good recent form. Gwladys Street and Oniz Tiptoes are both course and distance winners. Duneen Point belatedly got off the mark at Fontwell on Boxing Day but was 20 lengths behind today's rival Easement at that track over this longer trip in April last year, though is much better off at the weights now. Toplander and Overafrica shouldn't be far away again but this trip has stretched the stamina of Bollin Fiona in the past and Rowan Road has shot up in the weights since completing a double at Kelso and Catterick in December. SEYMOUR ERIC has also been taking to the task by the handicapper lately but it was difficult not to be impressed by his demolition job at Towcester last time and he clearly has an abundance of stamina. We'll give him a chance to defy his new mark.
Toplander (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Prominent, not fluent 9th, ridden after 3 out, no impression on winner next, soon narrowly lost 2nd, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind No Deal (11-0) at Ayr 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Seymour Eric 9-4fav (10-1) Prominent, challenged 8th, led 3 out, clear before next, easily, won at Towcester 2m 5f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-110) (3yo+) (4) hvy in Dec beating Market Option (11-6) by 24l, 6 ran.
Gwladys Street (IRE) 15-8fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan beating Oniz Tiptoes (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Overafrica (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) With leaders, led briefly 4 out, soon outpaced, stayed on on from 2 out, no extra run-in, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Stormion (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Easement 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 10, 36l behind Any Given Moment (10-13) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Bollin Fiona 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 9th, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Forestside (11-3) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
Duneen Point (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Disputed lead, hit 5th and next, advantage 7th, pressed 2 out, stayed on well from last, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec beating Morestead (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Rowan Road 10-11fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 8th, soon ridden, closed on winner when not fluent last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind King Kalium (9-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before last, chase winner after last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Gwladys Street (11-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
Stop On 6-1 (10-4) Mid-division on inside, not much room after 1st, some headway after 4 out, weakened before next, 7th of 15, 50l behind Waywood Princess (9-13) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
