Green Ideal overcame an earlier fall to oblige last time and can follow up at the expense of Isellido, Harrovian and Tom Fruit. Green Ideal was going as well as anything when coming down four out Wetherby on Boxing Day and duly made amends at Ayr just over a week ago in a conditional riders' affair under today's pilot Tom Dreaper. Ferdy Murphy's charge was not stopping at the finish, so will have no trouble with today's trip. He clearly handles testing ground, and remains well enough treated on last season's form to support again. Isellido was given a positive ride by Brian Harding to score back over fences at Kelso last time, and with her partner here able to take off a handy 10lb, she rates a threat along with Harrovian who has been most consistent in defeat. Tom Fruit was brought down at Wetherby last time, and he is another that is well treated as he can race off the same mark as when successful at Sedgefield last March. So, plenty in with chances then, and a narrow vote only goes to Green Ideal.
Heidi III (FR) 8-1 (11-7) With leader, led 3rd to 5th, remained prominent until weakened 4 out, 9th of 11, 48l behind Victory Gunner (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Harrovian 10-3fav (11-12) Prominent, blundered 2 out, rallied approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Interdit (11-12) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Devil's Run (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Always behind, reminders and lost place from 6th pulled up at the 10th in race won by Kerry Lads (11-6) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Tom Fruit 5-1 (10-10) Held up brought down 5 out in race won by Sharp Belline (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Isellido (IRE) 7-2co-fav (11-8) Led after 2nd, made rest, stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Jan beating Cool Dessa Blues (10-13) by 13l, 8 ran.
Green Ideal 13-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 4 out, kept on from last, won at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Fountain Brig (10-5) by 1l, 7 ran.
Blunham Hill (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Held up, driven into mid-division from 7th, behind from 11th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Sonevafushi (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Infini (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Led, headed after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off from 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Joe Brown (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
