With doubts over the participation of Ernst Blofeld who would otherwise hold solid claims this may be best left to ETXALAR who can get the better of Bleak House and Mr Woods. Lucinda Russell's inmate coped well with soft ground when second to a talented horse in a decent handicap last time, a performance which represented a further step forward from his winning debut over fences in October, and back in to novice company today the six-year-old must have every chance of giving the weight away. Bleak House should also have a chance here in receipt of 6lbs, particular as official ratings have only 3lbs between Howard Johnson's runner and our selection. Conditions should be spot on for this promising gelding who remains capable of better than he's shown so far and if he's ready to go after nine months off the track then he'd have every chance in this contest. Ernst Blofeld won nicely at Uttoxeter on Friday so is surely a doubtful runner and in his anticipated absence Mr Woods is rated next best. A strong stayer, this lightly raced seven-year-old jumped well when second to a promising animal over course and distance last time and in an open race must be given a chance, as must Double Hit who could be best of the rest. Donald McCain's mare won impressively last time and as all ground seems to come alike to her she could run a big race from the front with the extra distance here unlikely to pose too much of a problem, particularly as she won a hurdle race over three miles back in April. John Forbes is more exposed than most and will need to draw plenty of improvement from this step up in trip whilst St Killian's Run makes his chasing debut and has plenty to prove having fallen on his only point-to-point appearance. A decent turnout for this novices' chase and it has a competitive look to it but we'll side with Etxalar in the hope he can defy a penalty.
Etxalar (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Led, stumbled badly and headed 6 out, regained lead and blundered approaching 3 out, headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Skippers Brig (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Allegedly So (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Always behind, not fluent, weakened 9th, last of 5, well behind Ballyvoge (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Apr '08.
Bleak House (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Jumped right and mistakes, tracked leader, up sides leader when fell 5 out, in a race won by General Stone Hill (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Mar, 4 ran.
Blue Shark (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, tailed off, in a race won by Synchronised (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Classic Cut 14-1 (10-10) Held up, jumped left 3rd, hit 6th, outpaced 10th, kept on to take moderate 3rd, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Comhla Ri Coig (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Ernst Blofeld (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, left pressing winner 5th, every chance from 4 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Our Hero (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
John Forbes 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, soon in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 29l behind Open de L'Isle (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Mr Woods 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Comhla Ri Coig (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
St Killian's Run (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, no impression from last, 4th of 14, 21l behind Hollins (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Double Hit 9-4 (10-12) Made all, blundered 4 out, in command from 2 out, left well clear last, won at Leicester 2m Mares Novice Chase (4yo+) (4) gf in Nov beating Princess Flame (10-12) by 19l, 5 ran.
Chief Lady Olwyn 200-1 (10-8) In rear, hit 4th, soon behind tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by April San (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (5) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Smart Mistress 25-1 (10-7) Held up, took closer order 14th, hit next, soon struggling, left moderate 3rd 5 out, plugged on to go distant 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, well behind Presenting Forever (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (5) sft.
