Emirat De Catana, a winner over hurdles at Perth on good ground in May, took a heavy fall at Kelso in October and was well beaten on heavy going back there last month. Zara Hope was beaten a long way into second at Worcester and hasn't recaptured her hurdles form while Gordon Elliott's Pistol Shoot, a triple point-to-point winner and successful in a bumper, needs testing ground judging on his only decent effort over fences. Dual point-to-point winner CHANCEANOTHERFIVE (NAP) finished lame on his chasing debut at Hexham in May but reappeared with an impressive victory over hurdles here last week. Back over fences, he's on a very lenient looking mark. Eagle Ridge made a promising start over fences in a similar handicap over 2m4f here last month and should improve but Lady London only had two rivals to beat when successful at Perth and ran poorly back there next time.
Emirat De Catana (FR) 5-1 (11-0) With winner, driven before 2 out, no impression with front pair between last 2, weakened and lost modest 3rd after last, 4th of 6, 27l behind Caventara (11-5) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Nabraska (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Led, headed at 9th, ridden and no impression in moderate 4th before last (usual 2 out), kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Tara Mia (11-9) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Zara Hope (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Led until 5th, chased winner after, ridden after 9th, no impression 2 out, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Chequered View (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Pistol Shoot (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders on outer, ridden 3 out, no impression in 8th when fell next, at Navan 2m 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Chanceanotherfive (IRE) 10-3fav (11-6) Made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Petite Ganache (11-11) by 7l, 10 ran.
Eagle Ridge (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Chased leaders on outside, left in 2nd at 12th, led 4 out, ridden clear before 2 out, headed and not pace of winner run-in, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Benny's Secret (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Lady London (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway tracking leaders 4 out, 4th and one pace from next, 4th of 6, 19 1/2l behind Katalystic (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Simply Mani 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders on inside, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 10, 26l behind Benny's Secret (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Mymilan (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 17, dist behind Glenduff (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Hard Knocks (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Always behind, 6th of 12, 33 3/4l behind Gatacre Street (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Pads (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, left in modest 3rd and slightly hampered next, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Skyhill (10-12) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Lawtop Legend (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) In touch, lost place 3rd, soon towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, dist behind Court Baloo (10-10) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Unchago (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along in moderate 7th before 2 out (usual 3 out), went 3rd before last (usual 2 out), ridden and no impression in moderate 4th run-in, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Tara Mia (11-9) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
