Verdict

DIKLERS OSCAR should win if she stays and we'll take the chance on her doing so, with Premier Sagas, Double Expresso and Pension Plan heading the list of dangers. Keith Reveley's mare is rated 120 by the handicapper and sets the standard on it. She won nicely at Newcastle last time, in the processing showing she can get through testing ground without a problem, so as long as she sees out the extra four furlongs a follow up success looks on the cards. As a daughter of Oscar she should do just that, which would make life tough for the likes of Premier Sagas who gives weight to all of his rivals. Nicky Richards' big stamp of a horse is a chaser in the making but judging by his win over slightly shorter last time there are hurdle prizes to be won too, although this looks a strong contest and there may just be other days for him. Likewise Double Expresso looks certain to win races judging by his hurdling debut third, but this son of Kayf Tara might just want the ground a bit livelier than it will be and is opposed for that reason. Contrastingly Pension Plan should love the ground so whilst his second to Horsford last time has been let down by the winner since the way the pair pulled clear suggested it wasn't a bad race, so with the yard in form he rates a contender too. Onajet is a fascinating player in the contest having his first race here following his arrival from Australia. This eight-year-old is entered at Cheltenham and he'll need to be going close to justify that, so a market check is definitely required. Digg Whittaker looks the yard's second-string and makes little appeal so best of the rest may be Oil Burner whose second to Washington Irving on debut might turn out to be very smart form, whilst Spate River will surely be seen to better effect when sent handicapping by his in-form yard. This is an interesting contest on paper and we'll take Diklers Oscar to land it.

Formwatch

Premier Sagas (FR) 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged when not fluent next and last, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating L'eldorado (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.

Against The Wind 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 5, 23l behind Alvarado (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.

Claude Carter 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 10, 27l behind Bygones Of Brid (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.

Danny John Boy 50-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened from 7th, 8th of 13, well behind Truckers Hall (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs.

Digg Whitaker Mounting Spendent gelding out of Function Dreamer.

Diklers Oscar (IRE) 4-7fav (11-2) Made all, drew clear on bit from 2 out, easily, won at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Gwyre (10-5) by 11l, 16 ran.

Double Expresso 10-3 (11-3) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, mistake next, kept on to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Bostons Angel (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.

Macdougal (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Prominent, lost place 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 12, 36l behind Babysitter (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.

Oil Burner 25-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon headway, stayed on from last nearest finish, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Washington Irving (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.

Onajet (AUS) Super Jet gelding out of Our Ampulla.

Pension Plan 4-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and effort to challenge 3 out, kept on and every chance until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Horsford (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.

Rydale Lad (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, reminders and lost place 7th, behind when blundered next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by The Knoxs (11-4) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.

Short Straw (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Always in rear, reminders 5th, lost touch 6th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Great Endeavour (11-8) at Towcester 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) sft in Nov '08, 14 ran.

Simhal 100-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, well behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-1) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gd in Dec '08.

Spate River 100-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened after 5th, 8th of 11, well behind La Sarrazine (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Uncle Michael 20-1 (11-0) Prominent to 3rd, behind from 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.