FIRST STREAM was good enough to finish a three length fifth in a French Group 2 last June so he should be good enough to get his English career off to a good start here, while The Panama Kid looks to present the biggest threat. There is always, of course, the possibility that First Stream might need this first sight of hurdles on a racecourse, or may not handle the tight track here, but provided he does then the five-year-old is likely to possess too much class. He is sure to have been well schooled and the yard was still firing the last time we had any turf racing so he is worth chancing. The Panama Kid is battle-hardened, winning a bumper at Southwell and on his hurdles debut at Sedgefield. He would probably want good ground to be at his best but is nonetheless much respected. Calcutta Cup almost blundered his chance away at the last when winning here over the festive period but he hung on to win and now tries to defy a penalty. With confidence high and trip and track to his liking he won't be far away. Solent also carries an extra 7lbs courtesy of a Bangor success in August. He has struggled to cope with the extra weight in two subsequent runs and is not one to lump on. Grand Diamond should act with cut, but on flat form has plenty to find, and Top Tiger falls into the same category. Karmadice and Pontop have not hit the heights since respective bumper wins and we'll take First Stream to crown his hurdling debut with a win.
Calcutta Cup (UAE) 4-1fav (11-6) Raced keenly in touch, headway 3 out, joined leader next, led and 2 lengths clear when blundered last, soon ridden, just held on, won at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Burnswood (11-6) by a hd, 14 ran.
Solent (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, led, soon clear, hit 2nd, blundered 3 out, ridden and headed next, soon beaten, 4th of 11, 20l behind Teddy's Reflection (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, lost 2nd approaching last until stayed on and regained 2nd near finish, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Benfleet Boy (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Abbey Minster 50-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 14, 35l behind Calcutta Cup (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Brecks Lane 16-1 (11-2) Prominent to halfway, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Lie Forrit (11-2) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Dark Moon (GER) 28-1 (10-11) With leaders, ridden approaching 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 33l behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
First Stream (GER) 28-1 (9-6) Never a threat, 4th of 6, 18l behind Kamsin (8-8) at Cologne 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug. Promoted to 5th.
Galaxy Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistakes 5th and 6th, soon weakened, not fluent 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Star Lord (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up, behind 4 out, ridden next, kept on one pace from approaching last, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Red Moloney (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Karmadice 9-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, 4th of 16, 12l behind Palm Reader (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Newgate (UAE) 40-1 (9-3) Prominent on outer, weakened 3f out, soon well behind, last of 13, 43l behind Alucica (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jul (Flat).
Pontop (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 12, 25l behind Shinrock Paddy (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (1) sft in Nov.
Prince Samos (IRE) 10-3 (9-5) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Nawamees (9-5) at Leicester 1m 2f clm (5) sft in Sept (Flat).
Top Tiger 28-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 7l behind Dayia (9-11) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec (Flat).
What A Cliche 100-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened from 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Benfleet Boy (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Pugnacity 33-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 19l behind Jane of Arc (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 4f sll (6) gd in Sept (Flat).
