Infini gets the call here ahead of Westernmost and Time To Roam. Infini has dropped to a mark from which we know he can win over fences and this flatter track could suit him better than when he ran well for a long way at Carlisle last time. We also know that Sue Smith's runners can go well under today's type of conditions. Westernmost gets a mention because he now races from a five-pounds lower mark than when winning at Perth in 2004 and today's testing conditions could be right up his street. Irish import Hegarty may well have needed his first two runs in this country, although he still has something to prove on the back of them although first-time cheekpieces could help. Raised seven pounds for his Uttoxeter win, Speed Venture clearly comes here in good heart but he will need a career-best effort in order to win. Time To Roam is enigmatic but, having won over course and distance from a four-pounds higher mark in the past, a good run cannot be ruled out. Open Range has yet to build on his Wexford 2004 win, while, despite winning last time, Needwood Spirit is hard to fancy from so far out of the weights. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Infini.
Hegarty (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Held up well in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never a danger, last of 6, 9l behind Danse Macabre (10-7) at Sandown 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Speed Venture 7-1 (11-0) Behind, headway approaching 7th, led last, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb beating Misbehaviour (11-1) by 6l, 12 ran.
Time To Roam (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace and no impression from next, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Birdwatch (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Open Range (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, tailed off, jumped right 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Marrel (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Infini (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, 5th of 12, 22l behind Front Rank (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Westernmost 9-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied, kept on to go 3rd from last, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Marrel (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Needwood Spirit 11-2 (10-2) Held up, ridden after 4th, soon outpaced, headway well over 1 out, ridden to lead last, driven out, won at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb beating Purr (9-8) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
