Verdict

Oscarteea, Stephanie Frances and Kiama Bay were all successful in novice events last time. The former won easily at Ffos Las and may prove best of that trio. Thorpe and Huff And Puff return from lay-offs with the latter attempting to emulate Zamdy Man’s win in this contest last year for Venetia Williams. But THE BROCK AGAIN will be sharper for his recent third in a handicap at Sandown and Paul Nicholls’ charge gets the nod to open his account over hurdles in this.

Formwatch

Huff And Puff 5-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, wenrt 2nd before 2 out, ridden to lead before last where went left, kept up to work and kept on well flat, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Nordic Quest (11-5) by 3l, 13 ran.

Kiama Bay (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Made most, clear with one other 4th, ridden 2 out, eased flat, won at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Minstrels Gallery (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.

Oscarteea (IRE) 4-5fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 2 out, clear run-in, kept on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Kamool (10-9) by 10l, 8 ran.

The Brock Again 9-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 2nd, not fluent next, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Exitas (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.

Thorpe (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd flat, stayed on, not able to get on terms, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Broughton (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo lst hdl (1) sft in Feb.

Stephanie Frances (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Held up in touch in last, headway approaching 3 out, led and awkward last, quickened away, eased towards finish, won at Worcester 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Oct beating Midnight Spin (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.