Some winning flat form and solid efforts over hurdles give MAKE HASTE the vote here ahead of Bold Phoenix and March Mate. Venetia Williams' gelding was twice a winner on the level over a mile and a half and has started to find his feet in this sphere recently including a runners-up spot on his penultimate effort. He sets a reasonable standard here and looks the one to beat. Bold Phoenix was successful in banded company on the level and would have a bit to find on the pick based on that. His opening gambit over obstacles hinted at a modicum of ability and that should be enough for a share of the prize pot. March Mate looks to be the strongest danger to the selection with three decent efforts in this code so far. He showed bits and pieces on the flat but with the form from his last start working out well enough he has a chance. Lake Wakatipu was solid enough on his hurdles debut while Layed Back Rocky is better than its last results showed but Make Haste looks strongest in this contest.
Bold Phoenix (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Led, headed 1st, tracked winner until weakened after 2 out, 8th of 12, well behind Den of Iniquity (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Layed Back Rocky 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Make Haste (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division until dropped rear 8th, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on from next, 6th of 16, 9l behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
March Mate 8-1 (11-0) Towards rear, mid-division halfway, lost place after 4 out, ridden and some headway to chase leaders 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 14, 20l behind Caravel (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Dec.
McEldowney 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 8th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on, no chance with leading trio, 4th of 7, 9l behind Toby Belch (11-4) at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Prince Samos (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 10th of 18, well behind Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Rudie Finn (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Always in rear, tailed off 4f out, last of 11, well behind Alfie Sherrin (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Lake Wakatipu 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost touch well before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 14, well behind Pelican Point (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
