Back On Line, Blackbriery Thyne and Bonchester Bridge catch the eye here and Back On Line can come home in front. Blackbriery Thyne has always looked a chasing type and this inmate of Henry Daly's unfortunately broke a blood vessel on his fencing debut. A Towcester winner of a novice hurdle last season, he can play more of a role here. Since scoring at Folkestone a year ago, Bonchester Bridge has not won since in seven attempts and was a beaten favourite last time. He makes his chasing bow here and though Nicky Henderson tends to hit form at this time of year, he is opposed. The lightly raced Back On Line rarely runs a bad race and he won on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter. That was a good effort, and sure to come on for his first run in eight months, Back On Line can follow up.
Back On Line (IRE) 3-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 7th, hit 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Firth Of Forth (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Blackbriery Thyne (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, clipped heels after 8th, headway 10th, ridden after 4 out, 3rd and held when hit 2 out, weakened, 4th of 8, 12l behind Methodical (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Nov.
Bonchester Bridge 2-1fav (11-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders 3rd, driven between last 2, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Sovietica (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov.
High Life 8-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, hit 4 out, never in contention, 7th of 13, 16l behind Kempley Green (11-10) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Hot Lips Page (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway 6th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 38l behind Fencote Gold (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Kitty Wong (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Badly hampered 1st, soon prominent, led 6th to 12th, led 14th, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, well behind Arnold Layne (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) gd in Nov.
Lady Racquet (IRE) 6-4 (10-9) In touch, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, no further impression, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Which Pocket (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
Papeete (GER) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hampered and lost place 9th, soon ridden, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd run in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Methodical (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Nov.
The Sneakster (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked winner, upsides winner when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Methodical (11-0) at Leicester 2m mrs nov chs (4) gf, 6 ran.
