Trouble In Paris ran well over these fences last time but has yet to win a chase in 14 attempts, FRANKIE'S PROMISE makes more appeal as he looked likely to make a winning start over fences but for unseating at the last when heading the field at Ayr last week. He's preferred to stablemate The Orange Rogue and can land this with a clear round. Rosquero is getting no closer but hurdles winner Seventeen Black should do better today with a chasing debut at Kelso under his belt.
Frankie's Promise (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Towards rear, headway before 6 out, not fluent 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden to lead before last and well in command when fell last, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
The Orange Rogue (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Held up behind, weakened before 6 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Basford Ben (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Rupert Bear 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Seventeen Black (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Throthethatch (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Asuncion (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Behind, jumped slow 2nd, struggling from 7th, pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Rosquero (FR) 14-1 (10-2) In rear, headway before 4 out, went 3rd from 3 out until 2 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 22l behind Throthethatch (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Trouble In Paris (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway 5 out, led before 3 out, ridden and clear before last, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Verko (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Led to 9th, weakened from 14th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
