Afsoun gets the call here ahead of Overlut, Dear Villez and Detroit City. Afsoun is Britain's leading juvenile hurdler and, having landed a very good event over course and distance last time, he is taken to follow up today. Given that he is the only French runner form a good five-day entry, Overlut has to be fancied, while Dear Villez made a pleasing British debut for Paul Nicholls last time and is one to consider, as is Detroit City based on his impressive Newbury win. In farness, the others seem to need to have to find improvement to feature today which, in turn, returns us to the selection, which is Afsoun.
Afsoun (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Prominent, hit 2 out, led approaching last, soon ridden, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (B) gs in Dec beating Turko (11-7) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Overlut (FR) (10-3) Made all, ran on strongly, won at Auteuil 1m 7f hdl hvy in Nov beating Exarque (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Pace Shot (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Close up, headway to track leader 6th, led and went left approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Slew Charm (10-7) by 2l, 11 ran.
Dear Villez (FR) 10-11fav (11-2) Held up, headway 6th, led last, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy beating Grasp (11-2) by 5l, 13 ran.
Detroit City (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3rd, led 2 out, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs beating Royals Darling (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 24 ran.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 40-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 4th, chased leaders under pressure from 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 19l behind Blue Shark (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Before Time 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Princelet (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Ghabesh (USA) 100-1 (10-13) Chased leader, led 4th to next, weakened quickly and pulled up at the last in race won by Dear Villez (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy, 13 ran.
Kalmini (USA) 4-1 (10-5) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 3rd, ridden to lead briefly 2 out, soon headed, rallied to lead again close home, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd beating Opera Mundi (10-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 10-11fav (10-1) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed briefly after 3 out, driven clear from last, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gs beating Alexander Sapphire (10-9) by 8l, 11 ran.
Rashida 100-1 (9-12) Headway 3rd, joined leader 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 14, 39l behind Prize Fighter (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Dec.
The Chequered Lady 12-1 (8-2) With leader, 4f out, weakened rapidly over 3f out, soon tailed off, last of 6, well behind Without A Trace (8-1) at Windsor 1m 4f stk 0-70 (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
