JUST SMUDGE is the selection to follow up an easy win in a similar contest last time, with Royal Hilarity and Apocalazzo the dangers. Apocalazzo has not been seen for seven months, but has won his last two chases. He was beaten at odds on in a hurdle contest on his most recent start, and it may pay to keep a watching brief here. Royal Hilarity had been knocking at the door before landing his maiden success at Folkestone in good style. He won well, but it may turn out to be a weak affair. Just Smudge had been off the track for more than a year and was having only his second start over fences when trouncing his field last time. Just Smudge saddles a penalty here but he looks hard to oppose.
Just Smudge 4-1fav (11-7) Always prominent, led after 15th, clear approaching 4 out, eased flat, won at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft beating Ya I Know (11-8) by 15l, 14 ran.
Ballyboley (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Led until 2nd, tracked winner after, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd after 11th, not fluent 13th, left in 2nd 4 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 29l behind Carruthers (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs.
Autumn Red (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Prominent, chased leader 15th, one pace after, 6th of 12, 18l behind I'm Supreme (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, never a factor, 8th of 13, 25l behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Von Galen (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) With leaders, weakened 10th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Captain Aubrey (11-11) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Lord Appellare (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, headway 14th, close 3rd when blundered 2 out, one pace after, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Constantius (10-2) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Royal Hilarity (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, challenged 8th, hit next and 10th, led 3 out, well in command before next, eased run-in, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Tosula (11-9) by 15l, 10 ran.
The Abbots Habit (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Led and hit 1st, headed 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Mortimers Cross (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Murphys Beau (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, reminders and lost place 7th, soon behind, last of 9, 40l behind The Randy Bishop (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Pharanto (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Pecked 1st, chased leaders to 14th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Prince of Persia (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Trebello 12-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, headway approaching 6th, struggling when hit next, 5th of 18, 20l behind Lady Pilot (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Apocalozzo (IRE) 8-13fav (10-0) Not always fluent, tracked leaders, mistake 2nd and 6th, ridden approaching 8th, soon beaten, 5th of 11, 41l behind Sovereign Spirit (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Hello My Lovely 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, went 4th 2 out, kept on flat to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Mr Big (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (5) gd.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Prominent, lost place after 11th, no chance after, 4th of 14, 44l behind Just Smudge (11-7) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Ortega (FR) 150-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 6, 16l behind Kia Kaha (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs.
