It will be interesting to see how the market shapes for Nicky Henderson's point-to-point winner Be There In Five on his rules debut but a better bet looks to be another point recruit EXPRESS LEADER, who has shown a decent level of form in bumpers and over hurdles and can take this race with the main danger rated as Volador. The five-year-old showed progressive form in bumpers for Philip Hobbs prior to making an encouraging first start over hurdles when a close third behind Ashfield's Dream here last month. He makes more appeal than dual point-to-point winner Babysitter, who has disappointed in both starts under rules, latterly on his first start for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Paul Webber's Cois Farraig ran well enough on his hurdling debut at Newbury last month but needs to improve to trouble the judge, while Noel Chance's Fabulous Fred has run to a consistent level of form and should again be thereabouts but is likely to have to settle for minor honours at best once more. With Alan King's runners in good heart, Ravethebrave has to be considered but it is hard to get away from the Paul Nicholls-trained Express Leader, who won his only start between the flags in good fashion, won well on his bumper debut and again when narrowly beaten in a decent race at Cheltenham. The six-year-old lost no caste in defeat on his hurdling debut when narrowly beaten by Manmoon at Exeter when last seen in January and he can go one better today.
Babysitter (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Abbevillian (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
Back Exit (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on, never a threat, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Possol (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Be There In Five (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Alw pr & ld, in command from 3out, kow, won at Summerhill 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating The Speedy Man (12-0) by dis, 12 ran.
Cois Farraig 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, led 2nd, headed after 5th, hampered 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 19l behind Bellvano (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Express Leader 2-7fav (10-12) Prominent, chased leader 3rd, led approaching 4th, clear approaching 3 out, hit 3 out and ridden, headed last, rallied and hard ridden flat, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Fabulous Fred (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Left tracking leaders from 6th, going well approaching 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well flat until headed near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Watamu Bay (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Knight Woodsman 7-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 9th, every chance 3 out, weakened under pressure soon after, no chance when hit last, tailed off, 5th of 9, 29l behind Quartano (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Meet The Critics (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 46l behind Horsford (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Mr Valentino (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always behind until some late headway, 6th of 12, 29l behind Menorah (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Ravethebrave (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, every chance when mistake last, edged left flat, no extra, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind The Jigsaw Man (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Rokinhorsescience (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Behind, hit 1st, reminded after 3rd, soon struggling, 4th of 9, 50l behind Restless Harry (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) hvy in Nov.
The Darling Boy 11-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, jumped left 3rd, not fluent next, improved when not fluent 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 43l behind Aohna (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Universal Soldier (IRE) Winged Love gelding out of Waterland Gale.
Volador (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, driven and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Ashfield's Dream (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Barlin Bay 250-1 (10-2) In rear, struggling after 4 out, 6th of 8, 45l behind Good Old Thyme (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
