A good little race in which we will stick with LIGHTNING STRIKE although the chances of the majority are respected. Oscar Bay is very good on his day as victories over Calgary Bay and Pride Of Dulcote testify but he doesn't always run up to that level and the percentage call is to take him on in first time blinkers, conceding weight all round. Space Mission has finished placed behind some decent sorts and wouldn't need to up his game by too much in order to open his account. Leading Contender progressed really well over hurdles once granted a test of stamina; this trip may be on the short side, he appears to be the yard's second string and he'd probably prefer better ground. Soixante looked beaten when falling in a race won by Panjo Bere on his chase bow but did enough to suggest that he could be a threat here. Trip and ground look ideal for Or Bleu who fulfilled the promise of his debut to win well at Bangor; this is tougher but he appears to be progressing. Conditions should also be fine for Lightning Strike who was the best of these over hurdles although his season did finish on rather a damp note with a tame effort at Aintree. He wasn't foot perfect on his chase bow and had little to beat but he has the potential to make up into a decent sort and, with the yard going well, Lightning Strike can take another step towards that target.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Led, hung left, reminders after 4th, headed after 7th, ridden to lead 10th, headed after 11th, kept on same pace from 4 out, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Lightning Strike (GER) Evensjt-fav (11-0) Held up, not fluent 3rd, chased leader 8th, not fluent 4 out, challenged approaching 3 out, soon led, clear 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating Scaramouche (11-0) by 15l, 4 ran.
Or Bleu (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Romping Home (10-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Kingham 50-1 (11-0) Led, mistake 11th, ridden and headed after 12th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Sound Accord (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Leading Contender (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway after 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec '07 beating Wild Cane Ridge (10-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Soixante (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Led, went right 9th, joined and ridden when fell 2 out in race won by Panjo Bere (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Space Mission (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance from last, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Its A Dream (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
