Woody Waller is the best of these over hurdles and won twice in 2009. However, he's been pulled-up on both starts over timber since and has something to prove now on his chasing debut. HUMBIE won over hurdles at Kelso last March and had his first start over fences at Catterick last month. Well beaten over 2m3f behind Glencree on that occasion, this shorter trip should suit and he gets the nod to open his account here. I Witness and Nonotreally have no recent worthwhile form over hurdles to recommend them on their chasing debuts.
Humbie (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, always towards rear, 6th of 12, 29l behind Glencree (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs in Jan.
I Witness (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, behind from 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Jurisdiction (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Nonotreally 50-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, reminders approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Emirate Isle (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Woody Waller 66-1 (11-8) Mid-division on outer, weakened after 5 out, tailed off, pulled up before next, in a race won by Universal Soldier (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
