LADY BLING BLING can defy a 13lb rise in the weights to score from Mistress To No One and Aconitum, whilst the unexposed Tesserae is one to monitor closely in the betting. Our selection is required to carry top-weight here but we know she stays this trip and the manner of success last time justifies the rise. There has to be a concern about the ground as the mare as shown her best form on livelier going, but in a race full of out of form sorts it may pay to give Lady Bling Bling the chance to follow up. Mistress To No One ran well enough on heavy ground last time to merit attention off the same mark. This race is less competitive despite the numbers and her sole career success came on soft ground, although our feeling is she's handicapped to the hilt and may just take a place. Likewise Aconitum is possibly too high in the ratings; connections must be disappointed their charge has gone up 4lbs for a distant fourth last time so despite the geldings solid profile it might pay to look elsewhere. Tesserae steps up markedly in trip for her handicap debut but has been found a weak affair and, as she's a win and a second from two attempts over timber, she merits respect particularly if support arrives. Floraline is similarly unexposed but remains a maiden and is best watched, Darn Hot has gone close off this mark over fences and has claims, whilst Sawpit Solitaire looks well enough treated on her form in novices but has been pulled up the last twice. Not the strongest of opening contests but our vote goes to Lady Bling Bling.
Lady Bling Bling 20-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, chased leaders, challenged 2 out, led going best before last, eased near finish, readily, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Bobble Hat Bob (11-10) by 6l, 17 ran.
Sun Quest 66-1 (10-12) In touch, hit 4th, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 13, 26l behind Cobbler's Queen (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Mistress To No One 7-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 14l behind Money Order (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Aconitum (GER) 8-1 (11-3) Prominent, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 16, 24l behind Sona Sasta (10-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
My Turn Now (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, stayed prominent until weakened soon after 7th, tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Sawpit Solitaire 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Quinte Du Chatelet (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Floraline (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, some headway 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 15l behind Playing With Fire (10-13) at Leicester 2m mrs nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Maggie Mathias (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Soon held up in last pair, ridden after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Double Dash (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Darn Hot 5-1 (10-1) Brought down 1st, in a race won by Ringaroses (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft, 11 ran.
Bring It On Home 33-1 (10-9) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Konigsbote (GER) 14-1 (11-6) Held up behind, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 15, 29l behind Guydus (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Marsh Court 16-1 (11-1) Jumped moderately and ran in snatches, behind from 11th, 7th of 8, 45l behind Mr Prickle (11-10) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Tesserae 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go remote 3rd last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 37l behind Stars Du Granits (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Norisan 33-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 12, 38l behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
The Composer 8-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, struggling after 3 out, well beaten when jumped right and blundered last, 10th of 13, 33l behind Minnie Hill (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Daarth 40-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, no impression after, 8th of 15, 25l behind Jackers (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Springtree (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Behind, ridden and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Noun De La Thinte (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Light Entertainer 100-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 37l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
