Harry Wood has already shown that he handles plenty of cut in the ground having won bumpers on soft and heavy ground and Don McCain's gelding is taken to open his account over hurdles, getting the vote ahead of Tartan Snow and Salveo. The last mentioned ran promisingly on a heavy surface at Carlisle last month and a reproduction of that effort would see him go close today. Diamond Frontier handled testing conditions on the flat but Howard Johnson's gelding would need to improve on his debut effort over timber to take a hand in the finish today. Stable companion Emmenso looks the second string of the two Johnson runners and of more interest may be Ferdy Murphy's Master Builder, who has shown some ability from limited opportunities. Tartan Snow has shown a respectable level of form of late and has claims if handling the testing conditions but preference is for Harry Wood, who has the pick of the form and handles plenty of cut in the ground.
Anvil Point (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Towards rear, no danger when mistake 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Wild Passion (11-9) at Punchestown 2m beg chs sft in Nov '05, 18 ran.
Boris The Blade 28-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, weakening when approaching 4 out, 6th of 14, 30l behind Oh Pickles (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Diamond Frontier (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 5th to 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind Tazbar (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs.
Emmenso (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding, half-brother to winning bumper/chaser Crookedstone and hurdler Drewstown Lady.
Harry Wood (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Led to 2nd, with leader until weakened after 4 out, 8th of 16, 25l behind Star Player (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Keppel 6-1 (12-0) Mists; poor 6th when pulled up in race won by Senora Moss (11-7) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Master Builder (FR) 14-1 (10-9) In rear, struggling approaching 4 out, rallied next, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 14l behind Rodrigo Gonzales (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Mey Clouds (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to 6th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Star Player (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Political Paddy 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, until ridden and weakened over 4f out, 6th of 11, 40l behind Mr Multifix (10-7) at Perth 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Salveo (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) In touch, every chance approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Oh Pickles (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Stand The Test (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 11, 1l behind Watch Yer Man (12-0) at Tinahely 3m ire ptp gs in Oct '06.
Tartan Snow 16-1 (10-13) Raced keenly in touch, headway 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Chef de Cour (11-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Easter Vic 8-1 (11-7) In touch until wknd after 14th, pulled up in race won by Sacred Mountain (12-0) at Ovrevoll 3m ptp gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Luzenie (FR) 33-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Tazbar (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs.
Tu Choozie 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, effort 3 out, soon under pressure, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by It's A Discovery (10-10) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
