Sergio Coimbra stepped up on previous form when chasing home Key To The Kingdom at Hexham in a novices' hurdle last month and looks fairly treated for his handicap debut so is taken to open his account at the main expense of Silken Pearls and River Mist. The last mentioned has claims at the weights but lacks a recent run so may be best watched, while Blue Rising is relatively unexposed and comes from a yard in good form. Old Nosey is gradually coming back to a fair mark but has given little sign for encouragement of late, while Primitive Poppy faces no easy task on his first start since winning a similar contest at Cartmel in May. Prince Adjal has a nice racing weight and entitled to be thereabouts again although of more interest may be Silken Pearls, who should strip fitter for his recent return here. There should be a lot more to come from Sergio Coimbra though and, off what looks a fair mark, he gets the vote.
Speed Kris (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 20l behind Longstone Lass (10-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.
Silken Pearls 2-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Red Man (10-9) at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs.
River Mist (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, mistake and reminders 6th, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Lutin Du Moulin (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in May.
Sergio Coimbra (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 3f out, rallied to chase winner between last 2, every chance flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Key To The Kingdom (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Oct.
Blue Rising 7-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Nite Fox (10-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Oct.
Old Nosey (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) In touch, outpaced halfway, 6th of 12, well behind Longstone Lass (10-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.
Primitive Poppy 11-1 (10-5) In touch, tracked leader 6th, ridden to lead at the last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs in May beating Barton Sun (10-9) by 12l, 13 ran.
Prince Adjal (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Led, headed last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Red Man (10-9) at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs.
