William Hogarth has been running consistently well in defeat in recent starts over hurdles including when a close second behind Tasheba in a decent handicap at Sandown earlier this month but he may again have to settle for minor honours behind BELLVANO, who gets the vote ahead of Inventor. The gelding showed a decent level of form on the flat with Brian Meehan on his best but he disappointed in his only two starts last term and seemed rejuvenated by the switch to hurdling when making a winning debut for Don McCain over course and distance last month and he has to be respected. Patrick O'Brady's Mexican Venture ran better at Navan earlier this month and along with Charlie Swan's Prince Of Fire, both Irish raiders have to be considered. Vic Dartnell's Henry Hook has been well held in both starts over hurdles having won a bumper first time up and of more interest may be Spring Jim. James Fanshawe's gelding ran on well having hurdled well during the race when making a winning start to his hurdling career at Leicester last month but this looks tougher. Nicky Henderson's Bellvano was twice a winner in bumpers and looked just as good when making a winning start to his hurdling career when successful at Newbury last month and he can follow up that success and make it two out of two over timber.
Bellvano (GER) 10-11fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, led before 2 out, hung left approaching last, stayed on strongly to draw clear flat, eased towards finish, won at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Prince Buster (11-0) by 10l, 13 ran.
Inventor (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, hit 2nd, headway after 3 out, pressed leaders approaching 2 out, switched left approaching last, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish, won at Ascot 2m hdl (3) gd in Nov beating King Olav (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Spring Jim 10-11fav (10-12) Held up, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 3 out, shaken up to lead after last, kept on well, won at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Astrolibra (10-5) by 4l, 8 ran.
Henry Hook (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, keen hold, under pressure after 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 21l behind Master Of The Hall (11-0) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) hvy.
Mexican Venture 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, smooth headway approaching straight, went 6th travelling well 2 out, ridden to go 2nd at last, no impression run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 29, 3l behind Where's The Dosh (11-7) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy.
Prince Of Fire (GER) 50-1 (10-12) Raced in 3rd at crawl, began to race from before 3 out, every chance under pressure on inner from before last, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Sweeps Hill (11-6) at Punchestown 2m nh nov hdl sft in Oct.
William Hogarth 4-1 (10-9) Led, challenged halfway, hard ridden and hung left approaching last, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 9, hd behind Tasheba (11-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) hvy.
