Esprit Saint looks the one to be on in this novice chase and if putting in a clear round he is taken to score at the expense of New Entic and Brumous. The selection has finished second on his last two starts and in each run has caught the eye. All runs have been on heavy ground but he steps up in trip for the first time today which will help as he has looked slightly one paced in the closing stages. He is still lightly raced and with conditions to suit he can break his maiden tag this time around. New Entic was rated as high as one hundred and twenty eight over hurdles but has really failed so far in his chasing career. He has run well in defeat but so far has never looked like winning. This looks an easier opportunity for him but so far has proved unreliable so is to be treated with caution. Brumous won two hurdle races from three outings but was slightly diappointing on his first start over fences at Market Rasen last time out. He should come on for the experience so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Esprit Saint.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) With leader, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, well behind Flintoff (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Brumous (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 9th, weakened 3 out, virtually pulled up flat, 5th of 7, well behind Ursis (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Esprit Saint (FR) 8-13fav (11-0) Chased leader, led after 2nd, headed briefly 2 out, hit last, headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Quirino (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Lutin Collonges (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Raced wide, always towards rear, slightly hampered 8th, tailed off 11th, 6th of 12, well behind Caveman (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gd in Jun.
Mibleu (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed approaching 8th, soon outpaced, 3rd of 4, 41l behind Don't Push It (11-10) at Chepstow 2m nov chs (3) sft.
New Entic (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Chased winner, dropped to 5th after 4 out, no danger after, 4th of 5, 14l behind Limited Edition (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs.
Nobile (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leader to over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 16, 17l behind The Entomologist (11-4) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Swift Thyne (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent, went 2nd 7th, weakening when blundered 4 out, 4th of 9, 26l behind Reach For The Top (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
