San Marino is a capable performer and won well when landing a novices' hurdle here in November but he looks best watched having refused to race at Hereford last time and a safer option looks to be TOCCA FERRO, who gets the vote ahead of Scorched Son. Tim Vaughan's gelding was a winner of a bumper and over hurdles on his final start in Ireland and he has to be respected given his trainer's ability at getting new inmates to the yard showing improved form. Notus De La Tour showed progressive form in France and now makes his debut for David Pipe so he has to be considered, especially if the market speaks in his favour. Pennellis showed some promise in bumpers for Paul Nicholls before falling on his hurdling debut at Taunton when last seen in November and he is another that has to be respected but preference is for Tocca Ferro. Emma Lavelle's gelding was a good winner of a Wincanton bumper in March and made a pleasing debut over hurdles when a fair third at Newbury in November so he has solid claims.
San Marino (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Went left start, refused to race, in a race won by Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Scorched Son (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, led 3rd, ridden and challenged 2 out, briefly disputed, kept on well under pressure to assert from before last, won at Sligo 2m mdn hdl sft in Aug beating Honours Graduate (11-7) by 4l, 13 ran.
Bobble Hat Bob (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 47l behind The Treacle Eater (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Cappagh (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, behind from 4th, tailed off, last of 16, well behind On Borrowed Wings (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Ellie's Prince 100-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Ocean Transit (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Firedog (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 7th of 17, 19l behind Somersby (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov '08.
Pennellis (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, fell 4th, in a race won by Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Spate River 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Brimmer (IRE) 250-1 (10-5) In rear, mistake 2nd, kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 8th of 14, 26l behind Tito Bustillo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Tocca Ferro (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, every chance when blundered 2 out, lost 2nd when mistake last, no extra, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Bellvano (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Tribunel 100-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 8th of 13, 28l behind Makhzoon (10-12) at Leicester 2m cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) hvy in Dec.
Wray Castle (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Close up on outside, headway into 2nd before 7th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Triggerman (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Yes Minister (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Raced wide, chased leaders until ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Quartano (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Notus De La Tour (FR) (11-0) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl hvy in Dec beating Spring Silver (10-12) by 20l, 17 ran.
Captain Walcot 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Fantastic Fred (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan '09 (flat).
