Darn Him would not need to improve much on his bumper form to make a winning debut over hurdles in this lowly grade but the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding is far from certain to handle the ground and preference is for Bathwick Rox with Shalati Princess rated the best of the rest. The selection is nothing out of the ordinary but would not need to be to win this anyway and a reproduction of his last time out form on similarly testing ground in this grade may well suffice for the David Evans-trained gelding. Paris Heights has given little cause of optimism in two starts over hurdles and may be best watched, while Count The Trees is no better than plated class on the level and has done little to show that the winter game will bring about an improvement. Shalati Princess has ability but Dai Burchell¿s mare has had plenty of chances and remains a maiden after 26 career starts, 14 of which have been over hurdles. This really should not take much winning and Bathwick Rox has solid claims of landing a moderate contest.
Darn Him (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Prominent, pushed along 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 10, 30l behind Seismic Shift (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Grand Welcome (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Chased leaders until weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 10, 10l behind Revolve (9-12) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in Dec (Flat).
Paris Heights 33-1 (11-0) Never a factor, 11th of 15, well behind Fantastic Arts (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Red Hussar 50-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden and lost touch 4f out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Phoenix Eye (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Oct '05 (Flat).
Ronsard (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, always behind, last of 12, 16l behind Qaasi (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Sean Og (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 13th of 17, 42l behind Le Burf (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
My Boo 150-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Air Force One (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Shalati Princess 14-1 (10-4) Prominent, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 16, 11l behind Mount Benger (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Victors Prize (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division when unseated rider 5 out in race won by Gaspara (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Bathwick Rox (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Final Bid (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Blandford Flyer 80-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, weakened from next, 6th of 11, well behind Impeccable Guest (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Galibard (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) With leader, jumped slowly 2nd, ridden after next, weakened before 4th, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Cheveley Flyer (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Count The Trees 33-1 (10-0) Always behind, 6th of 10, 31l behind Final Bid (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Mirage Prince (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) In touch, mistake when weakening 6th, 12th of 14, well behind Grey Samurai (10-11) at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Rhuby River (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 15, 27l behind Zimbabwe (10-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
