LITTLE JOSH is improving all the time and is fancied to carry his penalty to victory; Wyeth and Picture This make it to the shortlist. Nigel Twiston-Davies quickly put the selection over hurdles having been impressive in two bumper wins earlier in the year. His recent beating of Carmond at the track makes him the horse to beat and with the ground no problem, he is fancied to win again. Wyeth has the cheekpieces back on again; they were present when winning on the flat last time and it would be unwise to take his challenge too lightly. American World has looked nothing out of the ordinary in three runs over hurdles despite taking on decent opposition, so a bigger danger should be Aux Le Bahn. He won convincingly last time at Sandown but encounters very different ground today. Picture This makes his first start for Paul Nicholls today and the market may help guide to his chance on this hurdling debut, however it is Little Josh who is expected to win again.
Little Josh (IRE) 4-9fav (10-12) Led to after 4th, chased leaders, led after 6th, well in command from next, heavily eased flat, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Carmond (10-12) by 35l, 8 ran.
Wyeth 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden when not much room 2 out, switched right, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Mont Present (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
American World (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Held up well in rear, took keen hold, never near to challenge, 8th of 18, 23l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Aux Le Bahnn (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, steady progress from 4th, led 2 out, stayed on well from last, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov beating Bold Punt (11-0) by 5l, 15 ran.
Ballygowan Star (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Always in rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Great Endeavour (11-8) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Gypsy Bob (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, hit 6th, headway after next, weakened 4 out, 7th of 14, well behind Oscar Bay (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) With leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 34l behind Tragic Realm (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Mr Mackay 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway halfway, hung right 5f out, weakened 4f out, 5th of 14, 29l behind Cherry Flora (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Picture This (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, improved 4 out, led 1f out, edged right near finish, all out, won at Navan 2m nhf sft in Mar beating Limestone Cowboy (11-0) by a shd, 14 ran.
Seeking The Buck (USA) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 3 out, no impression, 6th of 14, 36l behind First Buddy (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Tobougg Welcome (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, soon scrubbed along, weakening when hit 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Herald Angel (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Meohmy 66-1 (10-7) Always behind, 5th of 14, 45l behind Shamari (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Quaspia (FR) Pulled up in race won by Quello Malta at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl sft in Oct, 12 ran.
