BORIS THE BLADE can achieve his third course victory here at the main expense of The Wooden Spoon and Battle Stations, both of whom return here after absences. Boris The Blade made a winning return to action at this venue last time, disputing the lead for much of the journey before staying on well to land it. He is up a further 6lb but given his preference for the venue, the testing conditions that will be on offer and the three mile trip, all these combined provide Boris The Blade with a good opportunity for another victory. The Wooden Spoon has not won on ground this testing in the past. Very lightly raced given his advancing years, he showed improvement during the spring of last year, defying a penalty to land a novice hurdle at Wetherby on his final start. How he will cope with ground conditions is the concern. Battle Stations is another lightly raced sort given his age. He landed a good ground Aintree novice hurdle on his last start. A half-brother to an impressive Irish point-to-point winner who is now in the care of Nicky Henderson, it is noteworthy that Graham Lee is in the plate once again here. Emmenso, a novice hurdle winner on his final start last season reverts to hurdling after his jumping was not up to scratch on his chasing debut. Gunner Jack was quietly fancied for a competitive handicap hurdle at Haydock recently. He is another lightly raced sort and is a classy animal on his day but Boris The Blade is the selection.
Gunner Jack 8-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, well behind According To Pete (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
The Wooden Spoon (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Made all, ridden approaching 3 out, hit next, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Mr Barnacle (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Battle Stations 8-1 (10-12) Led, headed 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, rallied last, stayed on gamely to lead towards finish, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun beating Chevy To The Levy (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Boris The Blade 11-1 (11-12) With leader and keen, led last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov beating Kirkside Pleasure (11-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Emmenso (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Not fluent in rear, no chance from halfway, 5th of 6, well behind According To Pete (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Good Line (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind John Fenton (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Lockstown 33-1 (11-0) In touch to 2f out, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 26l behind Ockey de Neulliac (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Manoubi 4-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 7th, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 7, 15l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
