The shortlist for this beginners' chase contains Dark Ben, No Picnic and Tufty Hopper, with the vote going to the last-named horse. Tufty Hopper is the highest-rated of today's runners and, three times a hurdling winner, he put in a good run over fences when second to Rambling Minster last time, which was a good effort in the context of this race. Dark Ben has earned his rating of 110, which should make him competitive today, although he is unproven at the trip, while No Picnic, who is also rated 110, was second off a mark of 114 over hurdles over course and distance here last February, and who was out of his depth over fences last time so he will find this company much more to his liking today. He should also be ok at the trip too, as should the selection, Tufty Hopper.
Barrons Pike 10-3 (11-5) Led and jumped right, headed 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 4th of 8, well behind Canavan (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Jan.
Blackergreen 7-1 (10-10) Held up and behind, ridden 3 out, kept on to go 3rd after last, never near leaders, 3rd of 8, 33l behind Kinburn (11-12) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Dark Ben (FR) 9-4fav (10-11) Led to 7th, chased winner, lost place 3 out, outpaced next, ridden and kept on approaching last, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Vicario (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft.
Jupsala (FR) 33-1 (9-9) Held up, headway approaching 11th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Chancers Dante (9-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Mickey Croke 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, outpaced 10th, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Vicario (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft.
No Picnic (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Chased leader to 8th, reminders 11th, soon outpaced, 4th of 8, 20l behind Mel In Blue (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (C) gs in Dec.
Tufty Hopper 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 13th, went 3rd 4 out, kept on to take 2nd flat, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Eskimo Pie (11-4) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs.
Vanishing Dancer (SWI) 13-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, hit 7th, blundered 12th, mistake next, struggling under pressure after 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Durlston Bay (10-10) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Mar.
