Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Refinement has done nothing wrong since being switched to hurdles and is taken to continue on the upgrade and score at the main expense of Odiham and Slick. The last mentioned had some decent form in bumpers and is surely better than he showed on his hurdling debut earlier this month. Three Ships is likely to struggle under his penalty, while Chaplin lacks any hurdling experience but is a potentially interesting recruit. Haloo Baloo is lightly raced and represents top connections so has to be respected along with the likes of Master Theo and Street Life, who have both shown useful form on the flat. Odiham was just about the best of these on the level and is open to improvement over hurdles but Refinement sets a decent standard and will be tough to beat.
Three Ships 10-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, tracked leaders approaching 4th, narrow lead 2 out, hard ridden and under pressure last, stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in Jun beating Constable Burton (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Refinement (IRE) 4-9fav (11-3) Made all, quickened on bit approaching 2 out, jumped left 2 out and soon ridden, pushed clear from last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (C) gd in Nov beating Pirate Flagship (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Amir Zaman 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3rd, not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Natal (11-8) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (C) gd in Nov.
A One (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Keen, led 1st, headed after 4th, weakened quickly and pulled up at the last in race won by Coach Lane (10-11) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy, 11 ran.
Chaplin 2-1fav (9-0) In touch, hard ridden to chase leading pair halfway, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 25l behind Magnetic Pole (9-0) at Brighton 1m 4f 3yo mdn (D3) sft in Oct '04 (Flat).
Fort Royal (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 15, 15l behind That's For Sure (11-2) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Jul '04.
Haloo Baloo 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, kept on steadily approaching 2 out, no danger, 8th of 16, 19l behind Anticipating (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Magic Amigo 25-1 (11-5) Held up, chased leaders after 3rd, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 38l behind In Media Res (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft.
Master Theo (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Hail The Chief (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol (Flat).
Odiham 13-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, reminders 5th, ridden and no impression 3 out, 5th of 12, 19l behind L'Antartique (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd.
Slick (FR) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leader to 4th, blundered 7th and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dearson (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft, 14 ran.
Street Life (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, pushed along after 5th, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Natal (11-8) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (C) gd in Nov.
The Rainbow Man 50-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden 5th, weakened rapidly soon after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mikado Melody (10-12) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Oct, 16 ran.
Clare Galway 14-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 8th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Mister Completely (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (7) pol (Flat).
