Newbury winner Edgbriar lost no caste in defeat off his new mark of 120 at Ascot last month and Paul Webber's gelding has to be respected but he may have to settle for minor honours again with more solid claims held by LATANIER, who gets the vote ahead of Long Hop. Alan King's gelding is less exposed than most of these after just three starts, the latest being his first over hurdles, and there should be plenty more to come from the six-year-old. French import Quinz makes his debut for Philip Hobbs and has to be considered, as does Jonjo O'Neill's Quazy de Joie, who looks to be going the right way. Carl Llewellyn's The Old Pretender made a promising debut over hurdles at Folkestone last month and has every chance, especially now that the yard are among the winners but it is Latanier that gets the vote. The six-year-old has shown improved form this term and with Venetia Williams continuing to churn out plenty of winners, he looks the one to beat.
Edgbriar (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Took keen hold in rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, not reached leaders, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Latanier (FR) 10-11fav (11-11) Led, ridden and headed between last 2, no impression and lost 2nd before last, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Circus of Dreams (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Quazy de Joie (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Led, headed after 2nd, stayed prominent, led again 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Chaim (11-1) by 2l, 15 ran.
Another Winnie 50-1 (10-9) In touch, pulled hard, steadied after 4th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Gypsy George (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Bugsy's Boy 3-1 (11-0) Led, hit 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened after next, no chance with fell at the last in race won by Bold Policy (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Long Hop (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, went modest 4th after last, never a danger, 4th of 15, 18l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Millarky 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 16th of 21, well behind Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Quinz (FR) (10-3) Held up, staying on when blundered last, 4th of 15, 10l behind Passe Partout Aulmes (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 2f NH flat in Sept (Flat).
Reindeer Dippin 80-1 (10-5) Held up, chased leaders, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 27l behind Calin Royal (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
The Black Baron (IRE) Lord Americo gelding out of Royal Nora.
The Old Pretender (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Led, hit 2nd, ran wide on paddock bend, ridden and headed well before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Martys Mission (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
The Randy Bishop 8-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, ridden and edged left flat, kept on towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Guns And Butter (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
