VIA GALILEI showed some very smart form on the flat and gets the vote to make a winning start to his hurdles career, with Dan Breen and Stratigic Gale heading the list of dangers. Gary Moore's gelding was last seen running in listed company for Jim Bolger and, officially rated 104 on the turf in Ireland, he should take some beating if jumping proficiently. The booking of AP McCoy suggests connections are hopeful of getting instant returns from their 60,000 guineas investment. Dan Breen is rated the chief threat, hailing as he does from the in-form David Pipe yard. A winner of two bumpers at Newton Abbot, this five-year-old should take a prominent role if coping with the softest ground he's encountered. He holds Statigic Gale on their meeting in one of those bumpers, but Nicky Henderson's inmate bettered that initial effort when second to an expensive and promising sort last time. He's another who makes his hurdling debut and it will be interesting to see if the betting sheds more light on how these horses with potential are expected to fare. Of those with experience over obstacles Sir Liam is preferred to Silver Accord, although neither has a compelling profile. The former fell last time having shown promise prior to that, but the feeling is this contest is a strong one and he'll do well to score. Duke Of Burgundy is of more interest, having himself won two bumpers and both of those victories represent strong form. He's not been seen since running reasonably on the flat in October but if the gelding can return to that bumper winning form of a couple of years ago he'd have serious claims. Mountainous looks like he'll need further although the market will help us work that out, but he's still ranked higher than stablemate Spot The Ball whose form so far is moderate. Sophies Trophy ran reasonably in bumpers without obliging, so for the winner we return to Via Galilei.
Dan Breen (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Made all, ridden and under pressure 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Sep beating Island Oscar (11-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Duke of Burgundy (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Held up, headway 2f out, hard ridden and ran on inside final furlong to lead last stride, won at Southwell 2m NH flat (5) gf in Apr '08 beating Sir Mulberry Hawk (10-9) by hd, 13 ran.
Hoback Junction (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, headway over 9f out, challenged over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Anquetta (11-7) at Southwell 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (4) std in Jan.
Mountainous (IRE) Milan gelding out of Mullaghcloga.
Silver Accord (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Always behind, 7th of 14, well behind No Rules (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sir Liam (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Held up well in rear, slipped and fell on flat after 4th, in a race won by Moment Present (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May, 11 ran.
Sophies Trophy (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, struggling over 4f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 14l behind Start Me Up (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gf in Oct.
Spot The Ball (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway and mistake 4 out, soon ridden, never on terms, 5th of 11, 39l behind Kerada (11-4) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Stratigic Gale (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven out, caught close home, 2nd of 17, shd behind Thunderstorm (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Via Galilei (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Prominent, soon 2nd, lost place and weakened from over 1f out, 9th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Alaiyma (8-12) at Cork 1m Listed stks gd in Oct (flat).
Lady Londra 100-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened when fell 5th, in a race won by Bathwick Quest (11-1) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Dannios 8-1 (9-3) Towards rear, reminders and not keen halfway, well behind final 3f, last of 11, well behind Squad (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Aug (flat).
