Warren Greatrex has his team in better form now so his runner, Three Guesses, who showed decent form in bumpers has to be considered here but he disappointed on his belated hurdling debut at Ffos Las last month on his first outing since February 2007 and looks best watched in a race taken to go to Nicky Henderson's OEDIPE, who is preferred to stable companion Ryde Back. The six-year-old mare has shown a decent level of form in bumpers and made an impressive start to her hurdling career when landing a novices' hurdle at Huntingdon in November in good fashion and she should take plenty of beating. Suzy Smith's Jordan was well held when third behind Aux Le Bahnn on his hurdling debut at Plumpton last month and now looks best watched, while Notmorebrandy showed promise in points but was beaten a long way out on his rules debut and is hard to recommend. George Baker's Divy won back-to-back bumpers and has looked useful in two starts over hurdles so he has to be considered but preference is for Oedipe. Nicky Henderson's gelding has shown a decent level of form over fences, winning off a mark of 134 and racing off a mark as high as 146 subsequently, and he looks worth siding with on his belated hurdling debut despite having been below par over the larger obstacles in recent starts.
Divy (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Always prominent, hit 6th, led after 3 out, headed before next, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 18, 6l behind Sandynow (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Earl Of Thomond (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon beaten, 10th of 14, well behind No Rules (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Hazy Bay 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, pushed along 6f out, soon struggling, tailed off, 7th of 11, 29l behind Kaybeew (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (5) hvy in Nov.
Notmorebrandy (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until lost place before 6th, struggling in rear soon after, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Sonowyouno (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Oedipe (FR) 33-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 21, 45l behind Wichita Lineman (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Quickdraw 66-1 (11-3) Held up, soon tracking leaders, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 11, 36l behind Stoney's Treasure (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Jan.
Rahy's Crown (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 2nd, headway after 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, well behind Chess Board (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sep '06.
Ryde Back 9-2 (10-10) With leader, led 2nd to 3rd, led 4th, hit 2 out, soon ridden and edged left, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares NH nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Asturienne (10-13) by 8l, 10 ran.
Three Guesses (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, 14l behind Meath All Star (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Jordan 14-1 (10-2) Held up in 6th, hit 3rd, ridden and went poor 3rd soon after 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 8, 40l behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec '08.
