Nicky Henderson's River Beauty showed promise in bumpers but looked beaten before falling two out at Huntingdon last time on only her second start over hurdles and she may have to settle for minor honours at best behind stable companion STRATIGIC GALE, who gets the vote with Ashleys Lad rated the best of the rest. The selection stepped up on his debut effort in a Newton Abbot bumper in the summer when chasing home Thunderstorm at Huntingdon in December and, with the yard's runners normally well schooled, he looks worth backing first time out over timber. Tom George's The Darling Boy disappointed on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon in November but the yard was out of form then and he may do better here. Lucy Wadham's Hoback Junction ran better in a Southwell bumper than he had done in two starts between the flags but needs to improve again to trouble the judge and of more interest may be Ashleys Lad. Nick Gifford's gelding has earned a rating of 118 following a couple of decent efforts and was not disgraced behind the Minack at Kempton last month. The six-year-old has solid claims and has the best hurdles form on offer but it may be worth siding with Stratigic Gale.
Ashleys Lad (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up well in rear, stayed on after 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, never near front pair, 3rd of 12, 24l behind The Minack (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Best of The West 150-1 (10-12) Led to approaching 6th, weakened rapidly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Stoney's Treasure (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Captain Willoughby (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased clear leading pair until 6th, weakened next, tailed off 3 out and soon pulled up, in a race won by Casual Garcia (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Daaloob 66-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind Mille Chief (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Hoback Junction (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, headway over 9f out, challenged over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Anquetta (11-7) at Southwell 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (4) std in Jan.
Mossini (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, took keen hold, pushed along over 3f out, chasing leaders when swerved right well over 1f out, beaten after, 4th of 7, 7l behind Anquetta (11-7) at Southwell 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (4) std in Jan.
Silver Accord (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Always behind, 7th of 14, well behind No Rules (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Stratigic Gale (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven out, caught close home, 2nd of 17, shd behind Thunderstorm (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
The Darling Boy 11-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, jumped left 3rd, not fluent next, improved when not fluent 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 43l behind Aohna (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
River Beauty 12-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, in 4th and one pace when fell 2 out, in a race won by Kerada (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
