Lifetime won over 1m4f and 1m6f in the spring but appears to have gone backwards since - his third at Wetherby in June coming in a claimer. The four-year-old looks worth opposing in ordinary novice company while Herostatus blotted his copybook when running out at Wetherby having finished second at Newcastle in October. Scarlet Fire could be interesting as he sandwiched a Newcastle bumper win in between placed efforts at Ayr and here last season and Explained has done nothing wrong. Tim Vaughan's gelding won a couple of bumpers in the spring and got off the mark over hurdles at Folkestone last month. OSCATARA was sent off favourite for an Aintree bumper in October but could only muster the one pace. A winner between the flags, he should be suited by the switch to hurdles and extra distance and is the percentage call in this.
Explained (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Made virtually all, not fluent 2 out, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) sft in Nov beating Phone Home (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Bold Slasher (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 5th of 8, 38l behind No Deal (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Direct Approach (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened and dropped rear from 6th, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Joseph Mercer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Herostatus 9-2 (11-0) Led, blundered 3rd, headed 4th, close up when veered badly left after 4 out and unseated rider, in a race won by Lordofthehouse (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Lifetime (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Led, went right 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, well held when lost 2nd and mistake last, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Ritsi (10-5) at Wetherby 2m mdn clm hdl (5) hvy in Jun.
My Mate Jake (IRE) 5-2fav (9-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Outlaw Torn (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov (flat).
Oscatara (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, closed 3f out, every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 13l behind Broadway Buffalo (11-7) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Oct.
Roseville Cottage (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 12, 42l behind Seren Gris (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Scarlet Fire (IRE) 11-8fav (11-1) Tracked leader, left in lead after about 3f, headed well over 4f out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Yes Daddy (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Uno Valoroso (FR) 80-1 (10-9) In touch, mistake and led 2nd, headed 4th, in touch, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bit Of A Jig (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct, 11 ran.
Ussee (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 4f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 11l behind Was My Valentine (11-2) at Fakenham 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Apr.
