Smart Baby is our choice ahead of First Fought and King Of Confusion. Connections of Smart Baby reverted to hurdles last time, stepping their charge up considerably in trip which did not work out. A re-production of his third placing on his penultimate outing would put him in with big shout here. First Fought returned from a break last time, failing to get involved. He is moderate but so are many of these. The yard have been firing on all cylinders of late. Of those with issued ratings King Of Confusion is highest rated. He was found to have a breathing problem last time so is dropped in trip. It did seem he was more effective over further until that problem was diagnosed. He has the raw ability ability to get in the shake up but one or two might just have too much pace. Of the remainder Stagecoach Amber is worthy of consideration but Smart Baby is the selection.
First Fought (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened from next, 6th of 9, 25l behind Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Jupsala (FR) 16-1 (9-11) Tracked winner, 2 lengths down and going well when fell at the 15th in race won by Blazing Hills (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs (5) gf in Nov, 11 ran.
King of Confusion (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden after 9th, weakened 12th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Boomshakalaka (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Lockstockandbarrel (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led, headed 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 12l behind Checkerboard (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Lord Samposin 250-1 (11-3) Towards rear, not fluent, never dangerous, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Quws Law (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Moyne Pleasure (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dickie Lewis (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy, 12 ran.
Stagecoach Amber (USA) 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 8th to 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Basoda (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Super Baby (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next, 4th of 16, 24l behind Native Coral (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
The Client (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Hampered 1st, always behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Sprosser (11-4) at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) gd in Jan, 6 ran.
