None of this bunch inspire confidence. TAROUM has yet to win in six attempts over fences but he won a selling hurdle in November and gets a token vote on that form. Mr Bachster was placed in a chase at Leicester last year and can race off a lower mark today while Brise Coeur drops in class and may do better as a consequence. Bahumbug finished runner-up over hurdles in 2015 off a much higher mark but there is little else worthy of a mention.
Proud Times (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Held up, in rear when hung badly left over 4f out, virtually pulled up final 3f, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Tarakkom (9-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp (6) sft in May.
Mr Bachster (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 7th, 3rd 4 out until slow next, soon weakened, 6th of 11, dist behind Bandol (10-8) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Taroum (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until pushed along before 2 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Up Four It (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Brise Coeur (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Towards rear, well behind 4 out, kept on before last, never any chance, 7th of 14, 25l behind Caprice D'anglais (10-2) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Bahumbug 9-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, slow 4 out, soon driven and beaten, mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 31 3/4l behind Guanciale (11-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Laflammedeglorie 66-1 (10-6) Raced keenly, tracked leader until before 6th, chased leaders, weakened before 10th, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out, at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Dancing Dik 66-1 (10-0) Close up on outside 2nd, lost place from 8th, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Guanciale (11-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
