SONOWYOUNO is the tentative suggestion despite concerns about the form of the yard, Highest Start is pretty interesting whilst Merrydown completes the nominal short-list from any number of contenders. Jonjo O'Neill's string haven't been hitting the target with the regularity that one might expect and that has to be a concern for the selection but Sonowyouno has held his form well this season. He lost little in defeat at Sandown when giving weight away to a smart winner in a race that wasn't run to suit, over an inadequate trip on ground that was too testing. His mark looks fair enough in light of the winner's performance on Friday and these conditions should help to see him in a better light. Highest Start is difficult to get a handle on after just two starts having been well held behind two smart performers at Newbury. It would be no surprise to see him more at home off a light weight in handicap company with cheekpieces fitted for the first time. Merrydown may just need this run over a trip that's shorter than ideal but he made up into a vey smart novice hurdler last season and has scope to be successful from his initial mark. The market will be useful in assessing his chances. His future may well lie over fences and there are several chasers at the top of the weights who may just be in need of a pipe opener over hurdles. That means that the likes of Mesbaah and Bonikos have got nice racing weights and they're open to improvement as is Cabinet Minister who needs to put a poor run behind him but we're going to stick with Sonowyouno.
Astarador (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) Tracking leader when fell 2nd, in a race won by Tramantano (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Star De Mohaison (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, weakened from 12th, in a race won by Don't Push It (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Merrydown (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 12l behind The Midnight Club (11-6) at Punchestown 3m nh nov hdl sft in Apr.
Character Building (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 16th, tracking leaders going well from 3 out, challenged before last, led flat, edged right, pushed out, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar beating Pretty Star (10-13) by 1l, 24 ran.
Sir Harry Ormesher 11-2 (11-6) Jumped left, held up in last, mistake 3rd, went 3rd after 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, beaten 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Duc De Regniere (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) gd in Nov, 4 ran.
Premier Dane (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Zabeel Palace (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Marodima (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, headed 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 14l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-125 (2) sft.
Sonowyouno (IRE) 5-4 (11-8) Soon held up in touch, keen early, chased leaders approaching 2 out, hard ridden, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Master Of The Hall (11-0) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Chased leader, led 3rd, ridden soon after 3 out, driven and headed 2 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 11, 27l behind Spirit River (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Clova Island 7-1 (10-11) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, every chance next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 19, 14l behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Bonikos (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, hit 3rd, pushed along after 6th, hard ridden 3 out, headway on outside approaching 2 out, went right to challenge last, soon led, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Premier Des Marais (11-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Cabinet Minister (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Led, headed 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 15, 30l behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Divers (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Echo Point (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Stoop To Conquer 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, blundered 1st, headway after 4 out to track leaders, led last, kept on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Key Cutter (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Mesbaah (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, weakened from next, 9th of 13, 33l behind First Stream (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Lazy Darren 20-1 (11-7) Held up, weakened 3 out, 11th of 12, 36l behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Catch Bob (IRE) 9-2fav (10-4) Held up, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Open de L'Isle (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec, 13 ran.
Well Disguised (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 12l behind Percussionist (11-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Highest Start (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, blundered 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, no danger, 4th of 10, 14l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-5) at Newbury 2m hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Deadline (UAE) 14-1 (10-4) In touch, headway to 2nd at 84th, challenged 4 out, still every chance and ridden 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Galaxy Rock (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
