There are no prizes for originality and we won't be looking for any as we select JUST SMUDGE. Dillay Brook, Ticket To Ride and Militant Man complete the short-list. Venetia Williams is enjoying a purple patch at present and she's adept at placing her horses. Just Smudge was having his first run since 2007 and his first for the yard when running out a fifteen length winner at Ludlow and is clearly well handicapped on that evidence. There are always risks attached when siding with horses with this profile at cramped odds and Supreme's Legacy is one of the likelier candidates to take advantage if something goes amiss although his recent performances haven't been all that encouraging. Neither have the two chase runs of Militant Man but he's unexposed and was suited by this sort of test over hurdles and is a potential improver. Dillay Brook and Ticket To Ride are more likely to run their races although the former was well below par last time and the latter finds winning difficult. Whichever way you look, it's hard to look beyond Just Smudge.
Just Smudge 4-1fav (11-7) Always prominent, led after 15th, clear approaching 4 out, eased flat, won at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft beating Ya I Know (11-8) by 15l, 14 ran.
Deep Pockets (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Always struggling to go pace, always in rear, 8th of 18, 42l behind Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Supreme's Legacy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders 2nd, jumped slowly afterwards, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Huckleberry (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Waltham Abbey 15-2 (11-3) Led until mistake and fell at the 6th in race won by Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Dillay Brook (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, some progress when mistake 14th, weakened next, 6th of 13, well behind Freeze Up (11-9) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Another Club Royal 40-1 (11-3) Always handy, ridden 4 out, weakening when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Millitant Man 28-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, never nearer, 5th of 15, 23l behind Prince of Persia (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Jacarado (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 7th, mistake 13th, headed 14th, weakened 3 out, virtually pulled up flat, 6th of 9, well behind National Petition (11-0) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 3-1 (9-12) Held up, under pressure after 6th, some headway 3 out, never on terms, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Mattaking (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Kiltimoney (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Behind, 6th, driven after 11th, tailed off in 6th after 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind National Petition (11-9) at Folkestone 3m 1f cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Dec.
Major Belle (FR) 14-1 (10-5) In touch, hanging right before 3rd, reminders after 5th, soon lost place, weakened 8th, 7th of 9, 31l behind Major Catch (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Peveril Pride 22-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden 14th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 16, 43l behind Constantius (10-2) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
