A large field and an open novices hurdle finds many in with chances, however we will side with Alan King's Wyldello ahead of Duc De Regniere, Oceanos Des Orbeaux and Corrib Eclipse. The selection was impressive when winning on just her second run over obstacles a fortnight ago, and with her stable in good form she must have solid claims. Never out of the first two in her six runs so far, she can take this contest on her way to better things possibly at the festival. Corrib Eclipse is an out-and-out stayer and will be one finishing strongly off what should be a decent pace, and if fit enough after a lengthy break, he must go close. Duc De Regniere won well on his British debut at Newbury so must be another with very strong claims, however the form of that win looks slightly suspect and as a young horse he will not be given too hard a time as he ultimately will be aimed at chasing in the future. Oceanos Des Obeaux is another who's future lies over the bigger obstacles, however he wasn't disgraced on his penultimate run against Amaretto Rose (Supreme Novices favourite) and has some very solid form to his name so has claims, however we will stick with Wyldello to make good use of her sex-allowance in this strong contest.
Duc De Regniere (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly from last, driven out, won at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Osana (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 5-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, good headway on inner approaching 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly, readily, won at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Apatura Dik (10-9) by 8l, 14 ran.
Azkaban Wings (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Led to 1st, remained close up, ridden before 6 out, mistakes 5 out and next, soon weakened, completely tailed off, burst blood vessel, 14th of 16, well behind Hidden Talents (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl gs in Mar.
Battlecry 20-1 (11-7) In rear, not fluent 2nd, lost touch from 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Call Butterfly (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hampered 1st, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Sherwoods Folly (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Celebrity Call (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, kept on but hampered close home, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bob Bites Back (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Double The Trouble 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakening when mistake 3 out, 15th of 18, well behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Hugo Wolf (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 4f, headed 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 10, well behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Mendo 14-1 (11-4) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 33l behind Amaretto Rose (11-1) at Haydock 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Montana Gold (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Marcus (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs, 16 ran.
Mountain of Dreams 100-1 (10-5) In rear, mistake 1st, weakened halfway, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Very Special One (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Presenting Star (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up, struggling 10f out, never dangerous, 9th of 20, 36l behind Den of Iniquity (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Sprosser (IRE) (12-0) pulled up at the 9th in race won by All To Do (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp frm in Jun, 12 ran.
Where's My Baby (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led 2nd, headed soon after, ridden 7th, weakening when mistake next, 10th of 16, 50l behind Air Force One (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Wyldello 2-9fav (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway after 4th, led last, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Oldrik (10-7) by 6l, 15 ran.
Corrib Eclipse 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, left in lead approaching 4th, hit 7th, driven 3 out, clear 2 out, won at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Original Thought (11-0) by 8l, 10 ran.
Brahms And Mist (FR) 66-1 (10-8) In touch, weakened over 5f out, 8th of 17, well behind Sound Accord (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Master Tanner 250-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, led and mistake 2nd, mistake 3rd, stumbled and headed 5th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Portland Bill (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
