Quasimodo, Spare Me and Freetown were the first three home behind Malko De Beaumount at Haydock last month and should be involved in the finish here, as may Julius Caesar, See You There and In Dream's. Quasimodo may be able to go one better this afternoon. That was only his second start for his current yard and his first over an extended trip so it's possible that there's improvement to come. He's 3lbs out of the handicap but that should be of little concern in these conditions and he's well handicapped on his old form. Freetown hasn't won for almost two years but Spare Me should still have his best days ahead of him and is respected. See You There is better known as a chaser but has conditions to suit on his return to hurdling as do In Dream's and Julius Caesar but the former was below par last time whilst the latter is having his first run of the campaign. The vote, therefore, goes to the in-form Quasimodo.
Laertes 40-1 (11-1) Chased leader until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 17th of 20, well behind Eden Linty (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Rambling Minster 16-1 (11-7) Held up mid-divison, chased leaders 5 out, one pace when stumbled badly 3 out, 4th of 11, 9l behind Cloudy Lane (11-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Julius Caesar 100-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 13th of 24, 27l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
In Dream's (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, headed after 6th, soon lost place and behind, tailed off 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Albany (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Freetown (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) With leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 18l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
See You There (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-12) Held up, headway 12th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Special Conquest (10-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Piraeus (NZ) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division outside, lost place and reminders 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Top Cloud (11-7) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb, 15 ran.
Habitual Dancer 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, led approaching 4th, headed 5th, ridden next, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Spare Me 9-2fav (10-9) In touch, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Quasimodo (GB) 25-1 (10-5) Held up, headway after 4 out, chased winner and jumped left last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
