MASSASOIT is the pick on official figures to see off Toby Belch and Diamond Harry. Paul Nicholls' week has been very much one of ups and downs but the presence of Massasoit has ensured that much of the opposition has defected and as a consequence, this looks fairly uncompetitive. Toby Belch has it to do on the book but he displayed plenty of resolution at Ascot and looks capable of further improvement. Diamond Harry accounted for leading Northern hope, Door Boy, at the course last month, and this step up in trip should not create too many problems for this unbeaten sort. Tisfreetdream is tried in first time visor. Hunters Ploy does not help himself with the odd jumping error. Baddam is quirky but able on the flat. His hurdling form does require him to improve significantly. Massasoit is the pick.
Diamond Harry 13-8fav (11-4) Raced keenly, held up in 3rd, not fluent 6th, led approaching 2 out, went left last, soon shaken up and asserted, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Door Boy (11-4) by 7l, 8 ran.
Massasoit (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, pushed clear after last, won at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct beating On Raglan Road (11-4) by 8l, 16 ran.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, went left last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 18, 4l behind Weird Al (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Toby Belch (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, chased leader after 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Barnhill Brownie (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Hunters Ploy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Handy in main group, blundered and dropped out 4th, no chance after, 6th of 9, 27l behind Golan Way (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Any Currency (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed soon after, every chance flat, outbattled, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Great Endeavour (11-8) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Baddam 20-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and weakened after 7th, 7th of 13, well behind King Jack (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
