HIGHLAND HUNTER (NAP) could be a useful addition to the chasing ranks judged on his point-to-point beginnings. He’s run well in both starts so far this season over hurdles and has won three times over the smaller obstacles. Hold That Taught, placed at Lingfield and Ascot, looks best of those with chasing experience, though Supreme Escape came with a late surge to score over a trip too short here at the start of the month. Captain Tommy seems to reserve his best for Bangor but Eva's Oskar can improve on his fourth at Exeter and Good And Hardy is another likely to progress with experience. Volcano is on a hat-trick but 16lb higher than at Warwick earlier this month.
Highland Hunter (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, in contention when hampered by faller 3 out, driven to press leaders last, kept on flat, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Main Fact (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Eva's Oskar (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Midfield, awkward 1st and dropped towards rear, ridden before 4 out, modest headway before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 14l behind L'Air Du Vent (11-0) at Exeter 3m (3) sft in Nov.
Good And Hardy (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Towards rear, closer after the 7th, tracked leaders before 4 out (usually 5 out), ridden after 3 out (usually 4 out), stayed on but well held, 4th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Ask Me Early (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Captain Tommy (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Towards rear, some headway into mid-division 7th, tracked leaders after 12th, ridden approaching 4 out (usually 5 out), held when mistake 2 out (usually 3 out), 6th of 11, 37 3/4l behind Secret Reprieve (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Golden Sovereign (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, well behind 15th, pulled up before 4 out, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Hold That Taught 4-1 (10-11) Held up on outside, improved before 15th, not fluent 16th, held in 4th when switched right after 2 out, went 3rd last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 8 3/4l behind Demachine (11-6) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Supreme Escape (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders in mid-division, headway to take 2nd 4 out (usually 5 out), niggled along and chased winner home straight, pressed leader when ridden after the last (usually 2 out), kept on strongly and led dying strides, game, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Faustinovick (11-6) by ns, 8 ran.
Volcano (FR) 10-3fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, slow and bumped 1st, left 2nd 13th, led after 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Kilpin (11-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
