Kevin Ryan's forays into the jumping game are rare but we fancy him to add to his relatively modest tally with SHIFTING STAR who can take this from New Tricks and Mr Prolific. The three-year-old gelding had a busy time of it on the flat this season culminating in a game success off a mark of 64 and seems to have transferred much of his flat ability to hurdles on the evidence of a promising second last time. With that experience under the belt and plenty of flat form to suggest today's contrasting going should not pose any problems the horse can give 7lb claimer Brian Toomey a winner here. This is far from the best juvenile hurdle you'll ever see and it's quite difficult to make a case for much else, but New Tricks has shown enough so far to suggest an ordinary race may come his way at some stage and consequently he is selected as the main danger to the likely favourite. Peter Monteith's gelding ran some solid races on the flat and managed to take third in a better race than this over hurdles at Aintree last time but his lack of form on a soft surface is the chief concern here and he'll do well to topple our selection, as will Mr Prolific who needs to step up on his debut eighth but may well do for the Paddy Brennan. The form of that race at Chepstow has in fact worked out with third placed Pistolet Noir going on to win at Cheltenham last weekend, but Mr Prolific was a long way back that day and will still need to improve to score here. Of the remainder Royal Premium at least has the assistance of Graham Lee for his second try over obstacles so may go well whilst Tim Easterby's Gwyre must be respected with the stable in such good form. Shifting Star has the form in the book though and can score at the second time of asking.
Agricultural 125-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Tillietudlem (11-5) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Bachelor Days (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 5 out, weakened next, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Kudu Country (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy.
Mr Prolific 5-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake and reminders 4th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, mistake and weakened next, 8th of 12, 40l behind Olofi (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
New Tricks 16-1 (11-0) Held up behind, driven and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd after last, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Kind Heart (10-7) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Royal Premium 25-1 (10-12) Behind, weakened from 4th, 4th of 6, well behind Kudu Country (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy.
Shifting Gold (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Prominent, every chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Monsieur Jourdain (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Gwyre (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, 8th of 15, 20l behind Monsieur Jourdain (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Rapid Desire (IRE) 18-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, weakened before 2f out, last of 13, 43l behind No Rules (9-6) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct (flat).
