MR THRILLER is expected to head the market here and gets our vote, but Alderluck and Vagrant Emperor will also be supported. The selection steps up in trip after a comfortable win last time out at Bangor in similar testing conditions, and being joint bottom weight is an added bonus. Alderbruck has the most to carry, but Nick Gifford's gelding has defied that status before and comes here chasing a four timer. He's lightly raced, with this just his fifth outing, and he's won with plenty of cut in the ground before. Vagrant Emperor has plenty in hand and was only beaten by an odds on shot when sent off at 66 to 1 last time out which was his hurdling debut. Don't expect anything like that price today, but if coming on for that run, he could well be involved. Several have realistic claims, but we'll side with Mr Thriller.
Alderluck (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden when headed and stumbled 2 out, mistake last, kept on gamely to lead close home, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Finney (10-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Dont Even Ask 22-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden along from 3f out, weakened, 10th of 17, 19l behind Ellen Tilley (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Fruity O'Rooney 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden to dispute 3rd approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 7th of 15, 26l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Hector Barbossa 100-1 (10-12) Rear, mistake and ridden 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Aux Le Bahnn (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs, 14 ran.
King of Java 12-1 (10-11) Raced wide, close up until ridden and weakened 3f out, 6th of 11, 19l behind Deep Reflection (11-4) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) pol in Dec '05.
Majic Moments (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened 4f out, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in touch until weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 11, 45l behind Our Bomber Harris (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Rear Gunner (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd until ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 15, 22l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Timaquan Warrior 25-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, tailed off 6f out, 10th of 15, well behind Dave's Dream (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in May '07.
Vagrant Emperor (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 7th, chased leading pair after 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Bensalem (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Mr Thriller (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, drew clear from 2 out, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Black Jacari (10-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Reblis (FR) (10-10) Made most, easily, won at Compiegne 2m 1f clm hdl in Nov beating Perlon (10-6) by a distance, 13 ran.
