MOSCOW CATCH looks hard to oppose here, so we won¿t, while Easby Park and Ifbutwhy are also contenders. The pick has done very little wrong in four career starts so far finishing in front twice and runner up twice. Three of those may have been bumpers but the latest was a victory in testing ground, which he'll face again here, over timber. So it appears he has little problems with facing obstacles and he was still very green so we expect further improvement. The step up in trip will also suit here and in time he'll make a good chaser but for the time being he looks good to follow up is hurdles debut with another win. Easby Park returned from a break to run really well at Sedgefield last time and only found Tot Of The Knar to good for him that day and with his conquer since proving he is set for better things that form looks solid enough. The ground may be on the slow side for him though with his only win coming on good to firm in the summer. Ifbuywhy proved to be a useful enough pointer in Ireland, winning his last two starts in that code. He experiences heavy ground for the first time here on his rules debut but with wins on soft he should go ok. Knockara Beau handles testing ground and is on decent form so should be considered as a main threat but Moscow Catch looks good to win again.
Easby Park 18-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, 10 lengths down in 2nd when hit last, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Tot Of The Knar (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Moscow Catch (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 7th, hung left and led last, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Signalman (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Classic Act 11-2 (10-10) Mid-division, in chasing pack 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Emmenso (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Apr.
Ifandbutwhy (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) Won at Lingstown 3m Ir pt-to-pt sft in Nov beating Mountain Heather (11-9) by 4l, 7 ran.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) Tracked leaders, keen early, ridden and hit 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Merrydown (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Mighty Magnus (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, well behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Tyrrhenian Blueprint gelding, half-brother to bumper and hurdles winneer Sea Captain.
Kafamber 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, lost touch 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Just Posh (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lady Chatelaine (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Brackenmoss (10-7) at Ayr 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Over The Odds 200-1 (10-5) Behind, lost touch 4th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
