Alyasan won a selling hurdle at Stratford in July but he was beaten at that level in October. Bumper winner Cougar Kid has produced a couple of decent efforts in better company than this and has been busy on the Flat but Jonagold was disappointing when beaten in a Fakenham seller last month and could find this on the short side. PETRIFY, a dual winner on the level during the summer, showed his best form to date over timber when third in a novices' handicap at Worcester and is handed the vote in a poor opener.
Alyasan (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Jumped left and behind, just about in touch 4 out, weakened before next, last of 6, dist behind Venue (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Cougar Kid (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along 6f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Shan Dun Na Ngall (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (7) pol in Dec.
Dennis Our Menace 40-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, last of 12, dist behind Way Back Then (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Jonagold 2-1fav (11-12) Close up, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Taroum (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Major Franko 50-1 (11-0) Not fluent in rear, ridden before 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Petrify 33-1 (10-3) Mid-division, 4th after 3 out, 3rd before next, stayed on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 9, 11 1/2l behind Miracle Cure (11-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Racing Spirit 25-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Trapper Peak (11-0) at Leicester 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Little Rocky 28-1 (11-4) With leader, led 5 out, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up, at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
L Stig 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, ridden before next, lost place approaching 2 out, 8th of 10, 25 1/2l behind Bobble Emerald (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Runitagainsam 50-1 (10-7) Held up, brought down 1st, at Leicester 2m (5) gs in Nov.
