HIGGYS BOY looks good enough to win this second division of the novice hurdle, with King Brex a lively outsider and Sunsetten, a previous winner, his main dangers. King Brex had some experience in Ireland before running a solid third on his debut in this country, just fading in the closing stages, forgivable, as he was having his first run after a long break. He is capable and can play a part here. Sunsetten won at Ludlow and ran well under a penalty at Doncaster next time, but he may struggle to win here under that burden again. Higgy¿s Boy is on an upward curve, having won twice on the Flat this summer and landed an impressive win on his hurdling bow, trouncing his field at Newbury. That was an impressive success, and Higgy¿s Boy is taken to extend Nicky Henderson¿s successful run.
Sunsetten (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd and hit last until no extra near finish, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Benfleet Boy (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bee Sting 14-1 (9-6) Led, quickened up over 2f out, fading when headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Boz (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct (Flat).
Blind Faith (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division after 6f, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Time For Rupert (10-12) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Commercial Vic (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, stumbled 1st, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Smoke And Mirrors (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
El Dancer (GER) (9-4) Prominent, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Munich 1m 3f stk sft in Oct beating Personal Power (9-4) by 3l, 11 ran (Flat).
Jay Ell The Trier (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Slowly away, raced keenly, headway to lead approaching 2nd, not fluent 3rd, soon headed, weakened quickly and pulled up in race won by Burton Port (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) , 15 ran.
King Brex (DEN) 6-1 (11-0) Prominent, led approaching 5th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 14, 28l behind Shamari (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Osbourne 66-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened when hit 5th, soon tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Haddaaf (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Pale Rider (FR) (11-0) Close up until one pace from over 2f out, 7th of 14, 7l behind Betcherev (10-10) at Deauville 1m 4f stk std in Dec (Flat).
Prince Des Marais (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, every chance after 3 out, weakened 2 out, hampered last, 10th of 16, 33l behind Norman The Great (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Regional Counsel 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Binocular (11-5) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Samsons Son 9-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, no impression final 2f, 8th of 11, 13l behind Bandama (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct (Flat).
Tribe 4-1fav (9-5) Held up well in rear, headway 2f out, beaten when hampered inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Pseudonym (9-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept (Flat).
Higgy's Boy (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, smooth headway before 3 out to chase leaders 2 out, led last, quick and clear run-in, readily, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Blues In Cee (10-5) by 2l, 17 ran.
Ben Ami 5-1co-fav (8-1) Mid-division, good headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, clear entering final furlong, all out near finish, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct beating Cupid's Glory (9-9) by a hd, 12 ran (Flat).
Elk Trail (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) In rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 15l behind United Nations (9-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs (Flat).
