Comhla Ri Coig has improved with each start and has to be strongly considered, especially given the form of Don McCain's runners, but it is hard to get away HELPSTON, who gets the verdict with Make Haste rated the best of the rest. The selection has the highest rating of these following a decent victory over course and distance on soft ground when last seen in November and a reproduction of that effort may well suffice for Pam Sly's gelding. Charlie Mann's runners have been in good form for some time now and his representative Aqualung has to be considered but he would need to improve on his bumper form to trouble the judge. Emma Lavelle's Vagrant Emperor ran better at Leicester last time but needs to improve and more solid claims are held by Make Haste. Capable on the level, the son of Sadler's Wells has yet to translate that form over hurdles but Venetia Williams has her team in great heart so he has to be considered. Helpston has plenty going for him though and Pam Sly's gelding looks the one to be on.
Comhla Ri Coig 11-4jt-fav (10-12) Held up behind, headway 5 out, led last, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Western Whisky (10-9) by 4l, 13 ran.
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.
Aqualung (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon one pace and no impression leaders, 6th of 16, 16l behind Qroktou (11-2) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Light Entertainer 100-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 13th of 16, well behind Cross Kennon (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (4) gs in Nov.
Majic Moments (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened 4f out, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Make Haste (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division until dropped rear 8th, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on from next, 6th of 16, 9l behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Mustakhlas (USA) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakening when pecked 2 out, 3rd of 10, 24l behind Kings Euro (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jul '07.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, every chance after 3 out, weakened 2 out, hampered last, 10th of 16, 33l behind Norman The Great (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Quelclasse (FR) 7-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 33l behind Toby Belch (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Super Directa (GER) (9-1) Led to straight, no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Konigstochter (9-4) at Mulheim 1m 2f hcp sft in Sept (Flat).
Vagrant Emperor (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 7th, chased leading pair after 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Bensalem (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
