Nicky Henderson, who won last year's renewal, had five entered in this at the four-day stage but is happy to let PREMIER BOND take his chance under a penalty. Very well backed over 2m here last month, he didn't let supporters down and gave the impression a step up in trip wouldn't be a problem. Justanother Muddle tackled Grade 2 company over 3m at Cheltenham after beating a subsequent winner at Lingfield but came up short. This is a more realistic level and he shouldn't be discounted. Oneida Tribe and Leg Lock Luke have both won between the flags and have joined powerful NH yards but Behind Time will need to improve on a modest first run here in November.
Justanother Muddle 9-1 (11-4) Prominent, slow 5th, mistake 7th, slow next, mistake 9th, lost place after 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Premier Bond 10-11fav (11-0) With leader, driven to lead narrowly approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly last, regained lead flat, stayed on well, drew clear final 100 yards, won at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec beating William H Bonney (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Behind Time (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear on outside, behind 5th, tailed off, 8th of 12, dist behind Buveur D'air (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Bound Hill 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 8f out, closed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 16, 21 3/4l behind Burlington Bert (10-12) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in May.
Fuhgeddaboudit 7-1 (11-1) Always behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Gabriel Oats 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 5th, lost place 3 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Potters Legend (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Leg Lock Luke (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Chsd ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, prog to cl 2nd bef 2out, rdn to disp last, ko best flat, won at Loughrea 3m mdn gs in Oct beating Breezemount (12-1) by 1l, 7 ran.
Oneida Tribe (IRE) 6-4 (11-11) Pr, 8l 2nd 1/2way, 2l dwn apr str, prog to jn ldr last, wo early flat, qcknd best, won at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m sft in Apr beating Templemills (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Talk Of The South (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up behind, mistake 4 out, soon struggling, never dangerous, 7th of 10, dist behind Premier Bond (11-0) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
