WIKAALA could be looking to provide his yard with a quick-fire double and gets the vote to do so ahead of Along The Nile and High Bird Humphrey. The four-year-old has been in good form on the flat of late as showed when scoring at Dundalk last time and if transferring that improvement back to the winter game a mark of 122 could prove generous. The gelding has been consistent over hurdles and looks to have been found a winnable race for his return to them with conditions likely to suit and so he gets our vote in what isn't the strongest of handicaps. Along The Nile is put forward as the most likely danger having performed with credit in stronger races last season. Keith Reveley's gelding is another for whom the word consistent applies and if he can build on his fourth last time that would put him bang in contention despite being 7lbs higher than when last tasting success. High Bird Humphrey is better known for his chasing exploits but a lower hurdles mark reflects that fact and the ten-year-old ran well in novice company at Cheltenham two starts ago before unseating when sent back over fences last time. This race is likely being used as a confidence boosting springboard before a return to the larger obstacles but connections will still be hopeful of a strong performance off what could prove a favourable mark and he rates a danger at what could be a rewarding price. Houston Dynimo has been dropped a pound after finishing close behind Along The Nile last time and with further improvement entirely possible the Nicky Richards inmate must have a chance of reversing that form but he remains winless over hurdles and a watching brief is advised. High Stand Lad would look to have solid prospects on his win two starts back but has it all to prove having subsequently flopped when favourite. The handicapper has reacted by dropping the horse a pound and if back to that winning form this seven-year-old would have solid claims but with that dismal effort fresh in the memory we're against him this time and similar comments apply to Haka Dancer whose second, when ahead of Along The Nile and Houston Dynimo, is beginning to look like a flash in the pan. Sun King is another who's best watched on this seasonal reappearance despite looking handicapped to take a race at some point whilst Poseidon and Front Rank will both need to step up on their recent efforts to take a hand in the finish. More questions than answers here but the solid looking profile of Wikaala is enough to swing the balance in his favour.
Wikaala (USA) 10-1 (10-12) Led and disputed, led after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra straight, 7th of 25, 11l behind Scholars Mate (11-4) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 in Oct.
Along The Nile 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 9l behind Mesbaah (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Front Rank (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 32l behind Cassius (11-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Sun King 9-2 (11-12) Held up, some headway 5th, lost place next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Sparkling Montjeu (10-0) at Catterick 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
High Bird Humphrey 9-4fav (11-6) Held up, unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Fred Bojangals (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 9-2fav (10-1) Held up, headway into mid-division after 4 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 5th of 13, 10l behind Mesbaah (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Haka Dancer (USA) 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leader, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 13, 46l behind High Stand Lad (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Poseidon (GER) 16-1 (10-0) Led to 2nd, with leader, lost place 5th, kept on under pressure from 3 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 10l behind Mesbaah (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Nevsky Bridge 8-1 (10-12) Held up, went 4th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 9, well behind Open de L'Isle (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Regent's Secret (USA) 33-1 (10-1) Held up, pushed along 4 out, not fluent and weakened from next, 7th of 13, 17l behind First Stream (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
High Stand Lad 9-4fav (11-7) Led to before 1st, in touch, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off 2 out, 8th of 10, well behind Sumak (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Planetarium 28-1 (10-2) Close up, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, 27l behind First Stream (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
