Viking Rebel looks the pick of this bunch with Anglican and Professor Higgins the obvious dangers. Nicky Richards has two in the race and with Viking Rebel the apparent first choice of the stable, we back their judgement on this occasion. His form reads well on the surface and if capable of reproducing his second to Quws Law here, he sets a fair standard. Anglican may have needed his first run for Ferdy Murphy. Listed class over chase fences in France, he cannot be discounted at this lowly level. Professor Higgins has often been punted but without too much success. He is bred to stay so testing conditions would not be a problem. Young Bobby ran much better than his 100/1 odds suggested when tried over three miles at Newcastle. Mill Side did not race until eight years of age but he shaped well on debut and could literally be anything. Theatre Belle is here after winning a dire Catterick seller in fine fashion. Viking Rebel ticks all the right boxes and looks difficult to field against.
Anglican (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, driven approaching 6th, ridden next, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 16, well behind Cadoudalas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Viking Rebel (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, led 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Quws Law (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Box Wallah (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 7th, soon beaten, tailed off, 7th of 16, well behind Cadoudalas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Kalibs Dream 200-1 (11-1) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 11, 42l behind Quality Control (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Mill Side 50-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged next, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Cadoudalas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Professor Higgins (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Scuzme (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 5th of 9, 48l behind Lazy Darren (10-7) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Spitfire Sortie (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led approaching 8th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, 5th of 15, 15l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gs.
Vicious Prince (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Always behind, not jump well and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Corlande (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Young Bobby 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 9th, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 16, 32l behind Bold Ransom (10-7) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Moneylaws (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Always behind, 8th of 13, well behind Rosie All Over (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Newgate Suds 10-1 (10-2) Always behind, 6th of 14, well behind Storymaker (11-3) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan '07.
Prioryjo 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, headway 4 out, blundered next, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 43l behind Overbranch (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Theatre Belle 33-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (5) sft beating Axinit (11-4) by 22l, 15 ran.
Tinto Verano (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Prominent, led 3rd until headed after 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 15, 27l behind Master Builder (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Start Royal (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Maraafeq (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
