A three-times winner between the flags, Irish raider Captain Cj has yet to finish out of the frame in three runs under Rules including when second in a Navan maiden over hurdles last time. But he is already an eight-year-old and will be jumping fences sooner rather than later. LISNAGAR OSCAR (NAP) held off the well-regarded Dickie Diver in a driving finish at Chepstow having finished second in a Cheltenham Grade 2 before that. He has the best form on offer and can end the unbeaten run of Deise Aba, who is upped in grade. Uttoxeter maiden winner Ardlethen is another chaser in the making but Shaman Du Berlais and Jammy George are entitled to be thereabouts.
Ardlethen (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, clear last, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Good And Hardy (11-0) by 13l, 11 ran.
Deise Aba (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Keen in mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led after 3 out, challenged last, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov beating Queenohearts (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Lisnagar Oscar (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, led 2 out, edged right towards finish, held on, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan beating Dickie Diver (11-2) by hd, 16 ran.
Captain Cj (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Towards rear, slight mistake at 1st, headway 4 out, improved to dispute lead on inner 3 out, ridden from next, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Cap York (11-12) at Navan 2m 7f mdn Yielding in Dec.
Halloween Harry (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 11, 29l behind Ardlethen (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Jammy George (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, soon led, headed 3 out, led and edged right before 2 out, headed between last 2, one pace in 4th flat, 4th of 16, 9 1/4l behind Present Value (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Late Romantic (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Led, blundered 6 out, soon headed, rallied after 4 out, every chance next, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Ange Des Malberaux (10-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Mon Garcon Frankie 250-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, lost touch 3rd, soon tailed off, remote 5th, 5th of 6, dist behind Two For Gold (11-5) at Bangor 2m 7f (4) gs in Jan.
Shaman Du Berlais (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in last trio, headway on outside chasing leaders 4th, went 2nd on extended run before 2 out, every chance last, hung left and no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Lamanver Pippin (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
