Helpston was good value for his win at Leicester last time but Pam Sly's gelding may struggle to follow up under his penalty and a better bet looks to be PAUSE AND CLAUSE, who gets the vote over The Shoe. Nicky Henderson's gelding makes his British debut today but has shown enough in France to suggest that he has every chance in this company. Charlie Mann has his string in great form so his runner Dorothy's Friend, who was formerly trained by Roger Charlton, has to be considered but lack of hurdling experience has to be of some concern. Springfield Raki has shown a decent level of form in bumpers but is another that makes his debut over timber today, while Frontier Dancer was going well before falling two out at Cheltenham when last seen and he may be best watched following that tumble. Marginal preference then is for Emma Lavelle's Pause And Clause, who has shown a decent level of form in two starts over hurdles, latterly when a close second behind Mad Max, and a reproduction of that performance may well suffice.
Helpston 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, not fluent 7th, led 3 out, mistake last, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Lake Legend (11-6) by 4l, 9 ran.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) In touch, close up 2nd when fell 2 out in race won by Karabak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
The Shoe (NZ) Montjeu gelding out of Madiya.
Comkilred Champ (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 14, 20l behind Clay Hollister (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Dorothy's Friend 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 19, 21l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug '06 (Flat).
Pause And Clause (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, soon chasing winner, ridden before last, no impression flat, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Mad Max (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Quinz (FR) (10-3) Held up, staying on when blundered last, 4th of 15, 10l behind Passe Partout Aulmes (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 2f NH flat in Sept (Flat).
Springfield Raki 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Red Harbour (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
