This is an interesting race in which all have chances, but we'll side with BLAZING BAILEY to gain a popular success ahead of Emperor Concerto and Zemsky. Alan King's charge needs little introduction as a Grade One winning hurdler, whose rating of 147 over the smaller obstacles advertises his chance. The eight-year-old had become disappointing prior to taking a very close second last time when making his chase debut and, with that experience in the bag, he looks to have been found a good opportunity to win with conditions ideal. Emperor Concerto is another who arrives on the back of a narrow second on his chasing debut, and this imposing sort is one to take seriously. He's plenty to find with our pick on their respective hurdles ratings but this unexposed individual is capable of better and jumped very well last time, so he's our forecast link. Ginolad arrived from Australia with a tall reputation and went some way to justifying it when winning at Fontwell, but he was firmly put in his place behind Tazbar last time and perhaps Zemsky can improve past him. Nicky Henderson's animal is highly thought of and should benefit from this drop in class, having taken in a couple of hot races over fences thus far. Vodka Brook completes the line-up and is far from out of it, although he unseated his rider last time and will need to jump better here. All five have claims in what promises to be a fascinating contest, but if he jumps well this should go to Blazing Bailey.
Ginolad (AUS) 11-4 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 2 out, soon headed, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 4, 23l behind Tazbar (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov stks (3) sft in Jan.
Blazing Bailey 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 5 out, headed 4 out, led again 3 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 6, nk behind The Sliotar (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Emperor Concerto 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leader, mistake 5 out, led next, headed 2 out, rallied but no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Massasoit (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Polyfast (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Zemsky (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Mistakes, close up, pecked 9th, blundered 12th, not fluent 14th and next, ridden 17th, soon no chance with leaders, 4th of 6, 29l behind Inchidaly Rock (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
