An intriguing and competitive finale to the Ludlow card. Rodalko has reasonable form in the context of what we know about the others and he is a course and distance winner, but one or two of the less-exposed runners could present him with some problems. The booking of McCoy is eyecatching though and his fourth to Calling Brave in a better event last time warrants respect. Champagne Harry steps up in trip on his hurdling debut but his dam stayed well so it should suit him. Cleymor House showed some promise in a Warwick maiden hurdle on his debut (Dynamic Lifter just ahead of him that day) but more is required. Dynamic Lifter was then sixth over c/d to Inca Trail next time, but he still needs to improve again. Jonjo O'Neill's other runner, Divine Mist is interesting but an unknown quantity, a similar comment applying to Nicky Henderson's Diamond Monroe. Double Wish must have had his problems as he is unraced for 604 days but, well-bred, he showed fair form on the Flat up to 12 furlongs in France as a three-year-old and is still an entire. Henrietta Knight runs Glenshedy Rock, who should improve on his Doncaster fourth and the trip should hold no fears. Hirapour, formerly with Amanda Perrett on the Flat where he won at distances up to two miles on good to soft and soft, is interesting. Now with Ian Williams, he showed promise on his hurdling debut and should go well. Home James has been placed twice in hurdles and the trip should be no problem, so he holds chances too. Quedex has two seconds to his name and is entitled to place claims again. Red Lion was good enough to win at Epsom over 12 furlongs on good to firm and, another one hailing from the Henderson stable, should be watched in the market. Wintertide, a fair fourth at Kempton on his first run since July 2002, is another to consider. Normal improvement would give him a chance. Charm Offensive, who is lightly raced, was fifth in a Taunton race that has worked out quite well and it would be no surprise to see her go well. By Best Mate's sire, Un Desperado, Little Enam has shown some promise in two runs but more is needed here. It's a tricky event but Wintertide, whose reappearance run behind the very useful Lord Sam reads well, gets the vote.
