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Towcester – Sunday March 14th

FUNDAMENDALIST - Smart sub-3m hurdler and chaser who won at the Cheltenham Festival six years ago, but despite remaining generally consistent has only won three times since those heady days, one of those wins being a veterans event at Aintree in ’08, his first Rules success over 3m+. Never in the hunt behind Chesnut Annie on his debut in this sphere but only narrowly outstayed by Templer at Ludlow next time in a race where 3L covered the first four. The slight drop in trip will suit and he is the obvious form choice, but any further deterioration would be a worry.

MANDINGO CHIEF – Just one win from his last 33 starts under Rules, a four-runner handicap off 100 at Wetherby in April ’09, and pulled up over this course/distance when last seen in that sphere. Seemingly showed very smart form on his Pointing debut, finishing six lengths and the same behind Theatre Diva and Turthen at Larkhill in January, but his overall record suggests he is no good thing to repeat the dose. Has won on good/soft, but better suited by faster ground.

BLAZE AHEAD – Three time winner at Huntingdon but an infrequent scorer of late; not disgraced when fifth to some decent sorts at Larkhill on his Pointing debut and then not far behind Gentle George back at the Cambs venue, but looked very onepaced that day and has a little to find with the best of these.

VICTREE – Modest chaser, with his one win from 15 outings coming over 3m2f at Plumpton (off 82) last May; good effort to nail Caveman on his Pointing debut in a Mens Open at Marks Tey last month although he looked unlucky as the rider of the second completely ran out of puff. In good heart and although he wouldn’t have a prayer with the likes of Fundamentalist strictly on official ratings, wouldn’t rule out under conditions which should suit.

ELGAR – Won four out of five at 2m/2m4f in ‘06/’07, the latest off 112 but went completely to pieces after that and was pulled up off a lowly mark when last seen under Rules a year ago. No signs of a return to form in Points (has come to grief in his last two outings) and can only be watched.

GIVE ME LOVE – A poor performer for a notorious handler but produced an amazing performance at Ludlow last time, plodding past some exhausted rivals to finish second to easy winner Cedrus Libani at 200/1. Ungenuine and very unlikely to repeat the dose; likely to tail himself off and stay on late (if he consents to do so).

MASTER BILLY – 2m hurdle winner in Ireland but beaten 20L in his only Chase. 18L fifth on his only proper race last season, having walked over for his Members, and landed another farcical affair against trees on his comeback. Still plenty to prove in competitive company.

THE HOOKIE BOOKIE – Has always had an enormous amount of talent, as his record of 7 wins from 18 starts shows, but unbelievably frustrating – never more so than in ’09 when he finished second no more than five times but stubbornly refused to put his best foot forward when push came to shove. After pulling up on his debut it was a similar story at Horseheath, although to be fair it was a fine effort to get to close to Unowatimeen. Produced a poor effort on his only outing under Rules, which is a concern, but it would be no surprise if he were bang there jumping the last on this occasion.

VA VAVOOM – Consistent sort at a decent level in 2007 but lightly raced after falling in that year’s Aintree Fox Hunters and disappeared early in 2008. Fine effort to finish second to Accumulus on his comeback and connections have sensibly given him a short break. With conditions to suit he should be bang there with a promising young pilot taking over from Claire Allen.

Conclusion – I’m not sure that Fundamentalist will be ideally suited by these conditions and he is probably worth opposing despite being the best horse in the race. Mandingo Chief’s recent Pointing form is strong but his Rules record is rather uninspiring, so it may pay to side with Va Vavoom, who looks to have plenty to offer in this sphere. Whatever wins, The Hookie Bookie will probably finish second.