Philip Hobbs has his team in good form right now so Wishfull Thinking is bound to be popular with backers following his easy win at Hereford last month, but he has a penalty to carry for that success and preference is for another runner under a penalty, REBEL DU MAQUIS, who gets the vote ahead of Diamond Brook. The last mentioned is trained by Nick Williams, who is another trainer that has his runners in flying form at present and he should improve on recent efforts behind Pepe Simo at Wincanton and Classic Dream at Exeter last month. Munster Pride has his first start for Jonjo O'Neill having been trained in Ireland for his first three starts and he could be of interest, while Victor Dartnall's Broomhill Flyer has a long absence to overcome and now makes his debut over hurdles having won his only start in a bumper. Emma Lavelle's Court In Motion made an encouraging debut in a Newbury bumper in November and cannot be ruled out first time out over fences, while Charlie Longsdon's Rey Nacarado won his only start in an Irish point and cannot be ruled out on his rules debut but preference is for Rebel Du Maquis. Paul Nicholls has his team in good heart now and he looks worth siding with back at a course where he won well on his first start over timber prior to disappointing at Cheltenham last time.
Rebel Du Maquis (FR) 9-1 (11-4) In touch, steadied approaching 3rd, fluent 6th, beaten 3 out, no chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Tell Massini (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Wishfull Thinking 15-8fav (11-0) Held up mid division, headway to lead 3 out, driven and stayed on well approaching last, comfortably, won at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Court Red Handed (11-0) by 7l, 16 ran.
Abbey Dore (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Chased leaders until 4th, soon behind, 9th of 13, 42l behind Oddshoes (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Beyond Moonbeams 12-1 (10-9) In touch after 1st, disputing 4th approaching 3 out, 7th approaching last, 8th of 16, 41l behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Broomhill Flyer (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 6f out, challenged going well 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov '07 beating Ballaroyale (10-11) by 2l, 14 ran.
Court In Motion (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
Cranmere Pool 25-1 (10-11) Held up, pushed along over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Lucky Sunny (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Diamond Brook (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) In touch, no impression 2 out, 4th of 15, 7l behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Mr Straffan (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 6th 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 43l behind Liberty Counsel (10-13) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn hdl gf in Sep.
Munster Pride (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, moderate 8th after 3 out, stayed on well from before last to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Farringdon (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Feb '08.
Red Bishop 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Silver Kate (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Rey Nacarado (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Mid div early, ok 5th aftr 3out, lft 3rd 2out, rdn & rallied to ld close home, won at Limavady 3m ire ptp fm in Sep beating Tweedys Choice (11-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sean Thornton (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 8th approaching 3 out, 6th approaching last, 6th of 16, 35l behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
