THIS MASQUERADE is taken to see off Silver Footnote and Mega Watt, with Lost Glory not written off either. The selection comes here after a three-month break following a solid fourth to Dunraven Storm in an Ascot bumper. He is bred to jump a hurdle and if the market signs are positive on this jumping bow then he should run well. Lost Glory was far from disgraced behind leading Triumph Hurdle hope Mille Chief last time out at Huntingdon on his hurdling debut. He looks sure to have learnt plenty from that, although he was behind the selection on debut. Silver Footnote makes his debut over timber this afternoon and the yard had a well-backed debutant winner last week so the market could play a big role in assessing his chance today. Mega Watt was decent on the flat and ran with promise at Lingfield on his first foray into this sphere. He handles soft ground and looks an obvious contender with improvement likely. Noel Chance has an interesting recruit in Bariolo who should be fit after two recent runs on the level, of which the latest was filled with promise. Our selection, however, is This Masquerade.
Bariolo (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 5l behind William's Way (10-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f am hcp (0-70) (5) pol in Mar (flat).
Daaloob 66-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind Mille Chief (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Deep Waters (IRE) 66-1 (7-13) Chased clear leader until 6f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 32l behind Zalkani (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec '08 (flat).
Mauritino (GER) 125-1 (11-1) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 29l behind Cheshire Prince (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mega Watt (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Soon chased leader, challenged and mistake 3 out, still chance 2 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 11, 17l behind General Kutuzov (11-4) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Pro Pell (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 15, 22l behind Master Of The Hall (11-11) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Silver Footnote 13-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led briefly on outside approaching 3f out, chased winner after, no impression over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Kaybeew (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (5) hvy in Nov.
Spot The Ball (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, no impression, left modest 5th after last, 5th of 13, 23l behind Diamond Brook (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
The Bonus Ball (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 34l behind Mille Chief (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
This Masquerade 33-1 (11-0) Led, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 8l behind Dunraven Storm (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Nov.
Lost Glory (NZ) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, kept on approaching last, never trouble leaders, 5th of 14, 20l behind Mille Chief (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Golden Games (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Took keen hold in midfield, came wide into straight, 5th and weakening when went left and mistake 2 out, 4th of 11, 30l behind General Kutuzov (11-4) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
