Verdict

It could be another big day for the Paul Nicholls stable and they can get off to a flyer in this opener with TOUBAB. The four-year-old acquitted himself well in useful company last season and looks to have improved over the summer judged on his comfortable defeat of Drill Sergeant at Haydock last month. Iolith came good over C&D on his reappearance and still has some scope, but French import Decoy may need this. Megastar, a smart performer in bumpers, has to be of interest however having won easily on his hurdling debut at Ascot, while Secret World only found one too good at Newbury last month and should be suited by this easier course.

Formwatch

Decoy (FR) 11-1 (10-3) won at Clairefontaine(FR) 2m 1f hdl sft in Aug beating Acidanthera (10-10) by 10l, 18 ran.

Megastar 1-2fav (11-0) Pulled hard held up, headway to 3rd 4 out, led 2 out, soon clear, comfortable, won at Ascot 2m hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Smokey Oakey (11-0) by 16l, 8 ran.

Saint Are (FR) (10-7) won at Les Sables(FR) 2m 1f hdl gs in Jun beating Salome Des Pictons (9-13) by 5l, 11 ran.

Toubab (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up 4th in touch, tracked leading pair going well after 4 out, challenged on bit approaching last, led flat, soon clear, unextended, won at Haydock 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Drill Sergeant (11-6) by 8l, 4 ran.

Beaubrav 7-2 (10-9) With leader, led 2nd, soon headed, regained lead 6th, clear approaching 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct beating Addwaitya (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.

Iolith (GER) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged next, led between last 2, not fluent last, driven and kept on flat, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Ballinteni (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.

Araldur (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway 3rd, not fluent 5th, led after 6th, headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 12, 11l behind Mostly Bob (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.

Beat The Devil 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Alazan (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec '09, 15 ran.

Cluain Alainn (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, mistake and reminder 5th, well behind approaching 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Silver Gypsy (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.

Gtaab 66-1 (10-12) Led narrowly, headed 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression, 5th of 13, 9l behind Iolith (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.

Gulf Of Aqaba (USA) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders and keen, outpaced from 3 out, 7th of 14, 19l behind Real Treasure (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.

House Rules (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Close up in 2nd, led after 4 out, strongly pressed when slight mistake 2 out, headed after last, kept on under pressure, 4th of 13, 2l behind Profit Margin (11-9) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft.

Perfect Shot (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway 5f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 12, 14l behind Woolfall Treasure (10-0) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct (flat).

Saute 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders to after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Extremely So (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.

Secret World (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Keen enough early, held up in 5th, went 3rd before 4th, chased leader 3 out, challenged 2 out, narrow lead before last, driven and stayed on until no extra and headed close home, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Act Of Kalanisi (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.

Shalambar (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Keen hold in touch, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 7th of 16, 42l behind Act Of Kalanisi (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.

Betty Browneyes 80-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Gibb River (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.