Zeitgeist, Etched In Stone and It's The Limit are the three to consider here, and in a weak contest, the former Luca Cumani trained ex-Flat performer Zeitgeist is preferred. Etched In Stone has bumper wins at Perth and Cork to his credit and finished third at Huntingdon on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon where he tired in the closing stages. He was backed into favouritism that day, is clearly well regarded and will be fitter for his first run for six months. Rated 90 on the Flat, It's The Limit has yet to translate that ability to hurdles but he got within seven lengths of the classy Natal at Taunton last time although he was probably flattered to do so. Despite the disappointing run of Inglis Drever the Howard Johnson runners are going well and Zeitgeist looks to have all the right credentials to make a winning hurdling debut. A winner at Haydock in July, he was only lightly campaigned this summer, but finished off with a terrific run to be a close fifth in the Ebor. He is sure to have been well schooled and Zeitgeist is taken to win this en route to better things.
Etched In Stone (IRE) 11-8fav (10-10) Close up, chased leader after 2nd, led after 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Ungaro (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
In The Bunker (IRE) Mohaajir gelding out of a once-raced mare.
It's The Limit (USA) 50-1 (10-7) Held up, mid-division, ridden and headway approching 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Natal (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (C) gd.
Zeitgeist (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 20, 4l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug (Flat).
Big Bertha 15-2 (10-12) In touch, driven and effort when 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 4th of 17, 29l behind Cloudless Dawn (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Bint Sesaro (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 41l behind Masafi (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (E) gf.
Bromley Abbey 25-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 7th of 11, 36l behind The Names Bond (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) sft in Nov.
Etching (USA) 25-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, last of 10, 40l behind Gentle Peace (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
