This is something of a guessing game and notebooks should be kept close to hand for future reference. Valeureux sets the standard of those that have achieved an official BHB hurdles rating and he should be primed to run another big-race today. His form with Demi Beau (4th in a Grade 2 at Kempton yesterday) reads well in the context of this race and he will be hard to keep out of the frame if the drying ground is not too much of a problem. Hadith, who won over 10 furlongs on the Flat in Dubai, has taken well to the winter game and has a race of this nature in him somewhere along the line. He should find the ground to his liking but has left the impression that he may need a touch further to bring the best out of him. Medallist, who had useful form on the level when trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is another who is going the right way and is open to plenty of improvement after just one start over timber. However, he does have a little to find today and is one to watch. The same sentiments apply to Mr Midaz and Turtle Love. Therefore, a chance is taken that Rust En Vrede can build on a very promising hurdles debut here earlier in the month. He showed a good attitude under pressure on that occasion and, although his form from the Flat was modest, he must go close if running up to that form. Property Zone appeals as the best of the rest but he has been presented with more opportunities to win a race than most of these and is not one to rely upon too heavily.
