A race involving a host of out-of-form contenders and others with questions to answer can fall to MY ARCH who can take this from Supreme Builder and Its A Discovery. All three of those mentioned fell when last running over obstacles and so caution is advised but Ollie Pears runner should at least be fit for this having ran well on the level at York in October. With that run behind him the gelding can go well if adapting to fences on this first try over the larger obstacles, having shown steadily progressive form before falling on his final outing as a hurdler. The trainer evidently likes the horse and Brian Hughes can guide this one home in front. Supreme Builder carries top weight for the in-form Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee combination but that rating looks deserved judging by this ones solid hurdle form, the best of which was gained on heavy ground at Kelso which bodes well for today. The trip of two and a half miles should also be fine for this son of Supreme Leader and he rates a very real danger to our selection in a trappy affair. Its A Discovery fell early on at Carlisle when the lesser fancied of two Donald McCain runners but she can put that performance behind her if respecting the obstacles this time. The mare scored impressively in a novice hurdle at Towcester in the process showing a liking for juice in the ground before struggling when upped in class but back at the right level today is certainly not discounted. Prosecco is another chasing debutant who should relish conditions and can go well whilst Wise Choice is the youngest of these and consequently may have scope for improvement but in a race where stakes are best kept to a minimum we will narrowly side with My Arch.
Supreme Builder 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear when fell 9th, in a race won by Door Boy (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f noc chs (3) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
My Arch 11-4fav (11-5) Mistake 1st, held up, driven and outpaced when fell 4 out, in a race won by Clemax (11-5) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in May '08, 9 ran.
It's A Discovery (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Led, fell 5th, in a race won by Bedlam Boy (11-2) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft, 7 ran.
Prosecco (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 29l behind Mr Woods (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Jumpled slowly 1st, always behind, 8th of 11, 33l behind Bob's Dream (11-5) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Wise Choice 11-1 (9-7) Mid-division, remiders after 7th, in touch in group approaching 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Giovanna (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place 10th, behind when hit 2 out, 7th of 12, 35l behind Garleton (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Mid-division, lost place 7th, behind when blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Pistol Basc (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 7 ran.
