Donald McCain’s yard has won this twice in the last five years and Flat winner Man Look faced a stiff task on his hurdling debut at Newbury – better is expected here. Hubertas was beaten a long way over further when second at Market Rasen but the winner has gone in again since. Six-times Flat winner Fattsota only found one too good on his hurdles bow at Southwell and Aramist has run twice on the level since his third at Sedgefield. ALFREDANDNOBELL ran a nice race when third here last month and it was a long way back to the remainder. He’ll know more today and a three-year-old won this two years ago.
After Toniight (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Towards rear, went 5th before 5 out, went 4th from 3 out, no impression, 4th of 11, dist behind Master Of Irony (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Aramist (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, 8th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Stamford Raffles (9-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Fattsota 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd 5th until after 3 out, slightly hampered 3 out, went 2nd again towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Sumkindofking (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Framley Garth (IRE) 50-1 (9-6) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 28 1/4l behind Machine Learner (9-2) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Highland Castle 7-2 (10-12) Keen, in rear, hit 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out, hit last, 6th of 7, 32 1/2l behind Al Reesha (10-5) at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Hubertas 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner 3 out, plugged on, 2nd of 11, 36l behind Bandsman (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Man Look 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakening when mistake 4 out, tailed off, 14th of 17, dist behind High Bridge (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Parisian Charmer 200-1 (10-12) Held up in touch and keen, struggling from 5th, 10th of 11, dist behind Master Of Irony (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Allfredandnobell (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, 3rd before last, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Fidux (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Shrubland 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place after 4 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Cliffs Of Dover (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec.
