Abstract Art looked beaten before falling two out on his hurdles debut and may be best watched on ground that is softer than ideal, with preference for Free To Air who gets the vote ahead of Lord Appellare. The last mentioned showed promise in bumpers and has run to a similar level of form since being put over hurdles so has to be respected but Richard Rowe's gelding may not have the speed of some of the flat recruits today. David Pipe's Mutual Friend has disappointed in two starts over hurdles so far and may be best watched at present. Alan King's runners continue in good form so Bormo has to be respected but he would need to improve on his debut outing in this country to trouble the judge. Preference then is for Andrew Balding's Free To Air, who stepped up on his debut effort over hurdles when a creditable fourth here last time. A reproduction of that effort should suffice.
Abstract Art (USA) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leader, keen, led 1st, headed approaching 3rd, in 4th and held when fell 2 out in race won by Rightway Star (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Bodieve Lane 100-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Rood Report (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 18 ran.
Free To Air 17-2 (10-12) Took keen, hold, held up towards rear, hit 4 out, headway under pressure to approaching 3 out, no impression when hit 2 out, 4th of 14, 11l behind Oh Crick (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Glandore Moon 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, behind from 5th, tailed off when hit next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Hidden Weapon (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Height of Spirits 9-2jt-fav (9-2) Steadied start, raced keenly towards rear, headway and switched right inside final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 14, 7l behind Bernabeu (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Nov (Flat).
Leyte Gulf (USA) 28-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, driven along after 7th, soon weakened, last of 8, 47l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Lord Appellare (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway 3 out, jumped left last, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind The Package (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Makai 50-1 (8-2) Took keen hold, led, headed 6f out, stayed in touch, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Burgundy (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs in Jul (Flat).
Meersbrook (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, some progress 4 out, chased leader 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 12, 15l behind Quarry Town (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Sailor's Sovereign 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, 30l behind The Tother One (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sure Flame (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, headed 4 out, weakening when hit 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Nom de Guerre (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gf, 7 ran.
Vial De Kerdec (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Raced keenly in touch, ridden and weakened after 7th, blundered 3 out, 7th of 13, 29l behind Ouzbeck (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Nov.
Wee Alfie (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Latanier (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft.
Bormo (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 30l behind Art Professor (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Mutual Friend (USA) 15-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, one pace from last, 5th of 14, 21l behind Light Yield (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
