Crashtown Hall was good value for his win on his reappearance at Huntingdon last month and Colin Tinkler's six-year-old has to be respected but he may struggle to give weight away to Le Beau Bai, who gets the vote ahead of M'Boyo. The last mentioned ran with credit on his debut at Worcester in June but an absence since then has to be of concern so he may be best watched. Nigel Twiston-Davies has done well with his bumper horses all season so it would come as no surprise to see his representative Pebrock run a reasonable race on his first start here. He makes more appeal than the Evan Williams-trained Brenin Cwmtudu, who comes from a yard that has struggled to find winners of late. A market move for Paul Webber's Spud would be of interest but the vote goes to Le Beau Bai. A brother to the capable Bumper, the selection would not need to be out of the ordinary to win this and may be too good for his rivals.
Crashtown Hall (IRE) 11-4 (10-7) Keen, tracked leader, led after 3f, joined 3f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec beating Hilly Gale (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
M'Boyo 9-2 (11-1) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, soon ran green, one pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Didbrook (10-8) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Spud Spadoun gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Loch Nevis.
Gunnabelil Gunner B mare out of Flat and hurdles winner Young Tess.
Sherman's Neese (IRE) Presenting mare, half-sister to winning hurdler Terrappio.
Brenin Cwmtudu Saddlers' Hall gelding out of winning hurdler Keel Row.
Fearmore 22-1 (10-5) Behind until kept on final 2f, never near leaders, 4th of 13, 16l behind Turbo Linn (10-5) at Carlisle 1m 6f nhf (6) hvy in Oct.
Hazeam 66-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon behind, 8th of 15, 28l behind Quartano (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 4f nhf lst (1) hvy.
Le Beau Bai (FR) Cadoudal gelding, full brother to hurdles and bumper winner Bumper.
Pebrock (FR) Video Rock gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Lorient Express & 1m4f and hurdles winner Nikola.
Wizard Time Wizard King gelding out of winning sprinter It'safact.
Overbury Pearl Overbury filly, half-sister to winning chaser Cool Song.
Arctic Shadow Bonny Scot gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Arctic Spirit & winning hurdler Bill Brown.
Cornish Connection (IRE) Secral gelding out of Bryan's Call.