Avalon is likely to be at short odds in this juvenile novices' hurdle and is hard to oppose with Gidam Gidam preferred to Reaching Out for the forecast spot. The selection showed some decent form from limited opportunities for Aidan O'Brien on the flat and, provided that he jumps well enough, the son of Kingmambo should be too classy for his rivals. This looks tougher than the race that Bayard won at Fakenham, while Cave of The Giant would need to improve on what he has shown so far to trouble the judge. Gidam Gidam fulfilled the promise of his Market Rasen debut when landing a big-field contest at Doncaster last time and makes more appeal than Course and distance winner Reaching Out, who disappointed last time. Avalon is a potentially high-class recruit though and he gets the vote to make a winning debut.
Bayard (USA) 4-9fav (10-12) With leader, led 5th, in command from 2 out, mistake last, eased flat, won at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Nov beating Knock Bridge (10-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) In touch, led before 3rd, made rest, hit 2 out and last, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf beating Daldini (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Reaching Out (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Held up, blundered 3rd, ridden and some headway after 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 9l behind Kalmini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gd in Nov.
Avalon 6-4fav (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 7f out, ridden over 5f out, outpaced final 3f, 4th of 6, 10l behind Art Eyes (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Sept (Flat).
Cabopino Lad (USA) 80-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, last of 14, well behind Kentucky Bullet (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f stk (7) fbs in Nov (Flat).
Cave of The Giant (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Hit 1st, behind, driven and outpaced 5th, stayed on flat, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Spidam (11-4) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) hvy.
David's Symphony (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Left in lead 1st, soon headed and hampered by loose horse, stayed prominent, weakenedg 5th, 7th of 16, 29l behind Baie des Flamands (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Garibaldi (GER) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 4th and next, mistake and weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 26l behind Turko (11-4) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gd in Nov.
Globalized (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 11, 18l behind Patman Du Charmil (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft.
Robeson 10-1 (9-0) Led over 6f, 11th of 13, 17l behind Fasylitator (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Royal Sailor (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 4l behind Kinsman (8-9) at Lingfield 1m stk (7) pol (Flat).
Slew Charm (FR) 18-1 (9-1) Soon behind, 11th of 12, 31l behind Easy Laughter (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Victorias Groom (GER) 5-1 (10-12) In touch, headway to chase winner and hit 2 out, one pace and no impression flat, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
E Bride (USA) 100-1 (9-12) Held up, never dangerous, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Take A Mile (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd.
Proprioception (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 16, 9l behind Baie des Flamands (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Satin Rose 10-1 (10-0) Rear division, blundered 2nd, well beaten when fell at the last in race won by Josear (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft, 14 ran.
