Karathena is 7lbs lower than when landing this event 12 months ago and she has to be respected on a course that she has a good record at but she was disappointing here last time so may be best watched with preference for WIDELY ACCEPTED, who gets the vote ahead of Peters Star. Don McCain's gelding is better than he showed when pulled up at Carlisle last time on what was his chasing debut and he has to be respected on earlier form over hurdles, if his jumping holds out. A market move for Northern Dune would be of interest but he needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge, while Exit To Luck comes here fit from the flat but he would need to step up on hurdles form to get involved at the business end. Preference then is for Widely Accepted, who represents the in-from yard of Oliver Sherwood and a reproduction of his last time out effort when chasing home Mujamead over hurdles at Leicester may well suffice on his chasing debut.
Widely Accepted (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Mujamead (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Peters Star (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In rear, reminders after 5th, detached from next and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Cavers Glen (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Exit to Luck (GER) 50-1 (10-12) Prominent, every chance approaching 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, 7th of 16, 15l behind Norman The Great (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Karathaena (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 16l behind At The Money (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Northern Dune (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 7th, stayed on approaching last, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Ardesia (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Oct '07.
