Equity Release has shown enough in two starts over hurdles, latterly at Kempton, to suggest that he would be more than good enough to take the honours in this contest and he gets the verdict over Quartano and Red Flare. The last mentioned has not been seen over hurdles before but Alan King's gelding has to be respected given the trainer's good record of late and he cannot be discounted. Gary Moore is another trainer that has his string in good form, so I Have Dreamed is another to consider along with David Pipe's Reidwil who has the advantage of experience. Paul Webber's Luxurix suggested that he would be all the better for his first run over hurdles when making his Warwick debut and he has claims along with Carl Llewellyn's decent bumper recruit Quartano. Equity Release has solid claims though and the Phillip Hobbs-trained gelding gets the vote.
Don Pietro 3-1fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Birkside (9-11) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Equity Release (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Held up, blundered 4th, headway 3 out, slightly hampered 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 7, 7l behind Procas de Thaix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Behind, ridden 3f out, weakened from 2f out, last of 12, 20l behind Shela House (8-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct (Flat).
Luxurix (FR) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, challenged after 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 18, 13l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Majy D'auteuil (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 8th of 12, 15l behind Quarry Town (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Quartano (GER) 8-13fav (11-5) Prominent, led after 6f, headed 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 29l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (10-6) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gs in Feb.
Reidwil (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered badly 2 out, soon pulled up pulled up at the last in race won by Speed Venture (10-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Taxman (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders until weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Nando's Dream (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov '06 (Flat).
Tullamore Dew (IRE) Pistolet Bleu gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Sullane Storm.
Kilmeena Magic 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 14th of 17, 47l behind Pressgang (11-0) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gs in Jan '06.
Topflight Wildbird 12-1 (8-7) In touch, effort 3f out, 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 12th of 16, 15l behind Dark Energy (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Pheidias (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Led, ridden 2 out, headed last, every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Hello Nod (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Red Flare (IRE) 11-1 (8-2) Held up and keen, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 18l behind Franchoek (9-0) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug (Flat).
Trump Call (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, effort 5th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 12, 35l behind Mamlook (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gs.
