Exitas has been in good form over fences but is 5lb higher than when last running over hurdles almost a year ago. Barman’s bubble was burst last time at Newbury and he’s closely matched with Cloonacool on earlier Taunton running but recent course and distance winner Star Foot enters calculations only 3lb higher and he makes more appeal than Cheltenham third Champagne City as long as the going doesn’t deteriorate. Warwick winner One For Billy may still be improving but we’ll take a chance on CHATEZ. Alan King’s charge hasn’t raced over hurdles since pulling up here early in 2015 but had looked a decent prospect earlier. He ran a cracker on the Flat in October after his break and could be very well treated. Chieftain's Choice will probably find at least one too good again.
Exitas (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, kept on, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Doitforthevillage (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Champagne City 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led before next, headed narrowly last, soon ridden, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 19, 7 3/4l behind Magic Dancer (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Star Foot (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, soon in touch, ridden after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Baby Jake (12-3) by nk, 7 ran.
Barman (FR) 10-3 (11-2) Led, keen, headed 2 out, weakened, 5th of 6, 17 1/4l behind Poppy Kay (11-4) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 7-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, slow 5th, went 3rd halfway, under pressure 3 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 4, 15 1/4l behind Chitu (11-8) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Aug.
Cloonacool (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-11) In rear and in touch, headway after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Barman (11-8) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gf in Nov.
Thunder Sheik (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, lost place 4 out, driven and outpaced before next, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 30 3/4l behind Bobble Emerald (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
One For Billy 12-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 3 out, driven to chase leaders before next, soon challenged, ridden to lead flat, held on, won at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Oxwich Bay (11-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Chatez (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, keen early, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Fire Brigade (9-1) at Leicester 1m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Captain Felix 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened from last, 7th of 12, 18 1/4l behind Peruvien Bleu (12-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
