Vingis Park, Haunted House and What A Vintage are three against the field in a competitive opener and the narrow vote is given to Haunted House. The selection was a fair second behind High Day last time out, that form looks rock solid in the context of this race and he need only run up to that mark to win this. Vingis Park won well in first time blinkers a couple of runs ago and then ran a fair race behind Screenplay last time, but he will do well to give weight and a beating to some less exposed types and for that reason he is opposed. What A vintage is another that could go well as he won well last time when beating Sobers in a bumper . He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and he should be noted in the market. Could Be All right has shown enough in three runs to date to suggest he can win a race of this nature but he has given the impression in the past he would be suited by further. Of the remainder Rotheram is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but in a race where the market will be very informative for the winner we return to Haunted House.
Something Wells (FR) (10-6) 5th of 14, 11l behind Sunrise Spirit (10-6) at Enghien 2m hdl hvy in Apr.
Vingis Park (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, rallied briefly run-in, no extra close home, 6th of 16, 2l behind Screenplay (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Alfasonic 12-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 6th, soon pushed along, weakened next, 7th of 9, well behind Standin Obligation (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (E) sft in Apr.
Could Be Alright (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Went right start, soon prominent, ridden to challenge over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Roll Along (11-11) at Fakenham 2m nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Fisby 2-1fav (10-5) Held up, in rear, headway halfway, not much room 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 6l behind Pocketwood (10-0) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Haunted House 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 2nd, headway after 6th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, beaten when hit last, 2nd of 17, 12l behind High Day (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Nov.
Rotheram (USA) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 16l behind Kipsigis (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov.
What A Vintage (IRE) 7-4fav (10-11) Held up, headway 6f out, led over 2f out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) hvy in Nov beating Sobers (10-13) by 2l, 8 ran.
