Novarra was good value for her success in a selling hurdle at Ludlow last time but a 7lb rise for that success looks harsh and a better bet may be MARKILA, who gets the vote with Ready To Crown rated the best of the rest. The selection makes his seasonal reappearance off an 8lb higher mark than when last seen but Henry Daly has his string in good form now so lack of a recent run need not be of concern. Gary Moore's High Life has run better in his last two starts and has to be considered in a moderate but competitive affair, while Kim Bailey's Ruby Crown is less exposed than most of these after just six career starts and has to be strongly considered under his penalty for his success at Leicester last week. Santera ran better at Plumpton last week and is another worthy of a mention along with Ready To Crown, who has done better back over hurdles of late. Several have chances in this event but it may be worth taking a chance on the reappearing Markila.
Letham Island (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place before 5th, struggling after next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind It's Rumoured (10-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Ready To Crown (USA) 9-4 (10-10) Mid-division, headway when hit last, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 12l behind Divali Princess (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Line Artic (FR) 18-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Wessex King (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Markila (FR) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Jeu d'Esprit (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, weakening when hit 2 out, 11th of 15, 42l behind Ruby Crown (10-0) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy.
Dee Cee Elle 16-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Triple Bluff (9-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Novarra (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) In touch, mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Ludlow 2m cnd sll hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Mulaazem (10-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
Santera (IRE) 18-1 (10-4) Held up, dived at 2nd, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, chased winner and every chance next, no extra from last, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Albany (10-10) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) sft.
Popcorn Rosie 14-1 (11-9) Led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Star of Germany (11-13) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Miss Pebbles (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, led 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened 2 out, hit last, 5th of 13, 12l behind Arctic Magic (11-7) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Apr.
High Life 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 15, 8l behind Ruby Crown (10-0) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy.
Cat Six (USA) 22-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden after 5th, weakened after 7th, 6th of 13, 41l behind Sister Agnes (9-9) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Ruby Valentine (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 5th, not clear run and lost place after 6th, rallied 2 out, edged left and one pace approaching last, 4th of 14, 8l behind Craughwell Suas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Twice Charmed 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Charles Street (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Bundle Up 8-1 (10-5) Prominent, pushed along after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 27l behind Novarra (10-5) at Ludlow 2m cnd sll hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Where Now Madame 250-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Bakbenscher (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Ruby Crown 33-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy beating Chaim (11-11) by 3l, 15 ran.
Red 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division until after 7th, 9th of 13, well behind Mont Present (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
