PACCO won this race last year and is taken to repeat the dose twelve months on at the main expense of Cloud Nine and Rosie All Over. Oliver Sherwood's gelding ran poorly at Wincanton last time out but his best efforts have come on more testing tracks and so a return to Towcester will suit. He is only 3lb higher in the handicap than when winning this race last year and if he takes to the first-time cheek-pieces then he looks sure to run well. Mr Prickle is another course and distance winner and his beating of Noun De La Thinte at Warwick reads very well. He has a 7lb higher mark however as a result and that may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Cloud Nine has not been with the Pipe's for long but he has shown enough in two modest chases to suggest that he should pick up a race in this sphere; his mark of 105 is more appealing than the trip or ground it must be said. Course winner Livingonaknifedge looks well-handicapped now and he has trip and ground in his favour, Qualypso D'allier's form figures are enough to make any backer nervous at every obstacle despite a change of jockey, whilst Irish Guard is big and rangy and should relish a return to this track. Course regular Tooka completes the field and has shaped well on his last two runs, however the vote is given to Pacco.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) In touch, hit 3 out and soon slightly outpaced by front pair, rallied from 2 out to challenge last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Noun De La Thinte (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Pacco (FR) 6-1 (10-10) In touch, pushed along 11th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, 50l behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Cloud Nine (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Held up, headway after 4th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Morning Moment (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf in Dec.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In rear, pushed along after 8th, weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Fiftyfive Degrees (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd, 7 ran.
Rosie All Over 3-1 (10-10) Led 3rd to 4th, led 5th to 6th, led 9th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Pelo Du Bief (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Qualypso D'allier (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Held up when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Afistfullofpebbles (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Irish Guard 16-1 (11-9) With leader, led 3rd until 5th, remained pressing, every chance 4 out, weakened last, 8th of 15, 40l behind Cesium (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Tooka 7-1 (11-7) With leader, led 4th to 5th, led 4 out, headed 3 out, stayed on to lead near finish, headed last strides, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind The Thirsty Bricky (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp ch 0-95 (5) sft.
