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Leicester – Tuesday, March 2^nd

BUCKINGHAM BILL – Produced a massive career best to defeat the promising Sweden in a Whitfield Intermediate on good/soft last month, but has shown little on his two forays into Hunter Chasing and doesn’t appeal as the type who will be suited by a 3m slog in the mud.

CASH IN HAND – A regular in this grade and often placed, but a hugely difficult ride and not guaranteed to put his best foot forward even under this very promising young pilot. Could easily run into a place but not one to trust.

HEMINGTON – Most consistent sort who won three times in ’09 and notably finished a fine close-up third in the John Corbet Cup over 3m4f. Mainly campaigned on goodish ground these days but acts on heavy; runs well fresh and has an excellent chance at these weights. Can make the occasional mistake.

LORD ATTICA – Thorough stayer but his two wins came in moderate company last season; very idle and essentially a poor performer under Rules. Showed nothing on his comeback run at Detling and can’t be fancied on that evidence.

MY OLD PIANO – Looked exposed and moderate under Rules but a revelation in Points, winning his last seven starts (disqualified once for carrying the incorrect weight). Impressed on his return at Witton on sticky ground, looking every inch a Hunter Chase prospect. Speedy, and acts on soft (untried on heavy); this is a fairly tough contest but no surprise were he to outclass them.

ON TOP – Pointing wins have come in moderate company; missed ’09 and lost touch after 2m4f on his comeback at Thorpe. Should be fitter today but can only be watched in this company.

ORANGER – Better than his sole Maiden win suggests, but a difficult ride and his close fourth at Cheltenham last season came in the most bizarre race of the season. Well beaten at Warwick last week and generally easily opposable in this grade.

SHRADEN EDITION – Regular in this grade and has picked up plenty of prize money in his time; this is a better race than the one in which he finished a distant second to Lisadell King and will do well to repeat the dose. Reliable, though, so no surprise if he plods into a minor place, but ideally suited by better ground.

SUB ARTIC – Poor over hurdles but has found his level in minor Points, winning an elders’ Maiden at Maisemore on good by 20 lengths last season. Partnered by a promising rider but hard to believe he can be competitive at this level at his age.

WE’RE CONFUSED – Up and down last season, and similar this term; suffered a sickening fall at Chipley when held in second but bounced back from that to finish a fine second to My Old Piano’s stablemate Pristine Condition at Market Rasen. Stays well and the ground will suit; can make mistakes but a leading contender with the yard finally back in some semblance of form.

WILLIAM SOMERS – Progressive type in Points, winning at Chaddesley and Barbury this season, but let down by his jumping in-between when runner-up to subsequent Hunter Chase winner Lisadell King. More scope than most of these but this is going to be a real test and his lack of experience over regulation fences may count against him.

BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN – Receives weight all round but only a moderate performer these days and a massive shock if she even goes close.

CRACKING CLICHÉ – Non-runner

NO VIRTUE – Temperamental sort who was generally below form last season despite winning on her final start at Cold Harbour. Not disgraced in an ordinary Intermediate at Black Forest on her comeback and not without a chance at these weights, but questions to answer at present; rider lacks experience.

Conclusion – My Old Piano has the potential to be head and shoulders above most of these but this will be reflected in his price, and a value option is the reliable Hemington, who will be suited by conditions, runs well fresh and is now being campaigned out of a professional yard, albeit the son of the previous trainer. We’re Confused is another solid option but does have a tendency to make mistakes at the business end of the race.