Connections of last year's winner of this race, Roman Outlaw, will no doubt be hoping for a bold show from their charge as he attempts the follow up off a 5lb higher mark than he ran off when defeating Sireric here last January. However, his record since then does not make for the most inspiring read and others make much more appeal. Ballystone, Carnacrack and Hades De Sienne all come here with sound claims and have to be respected, but marginal preference is for the Ferdy Murphy-trained Birkdale, who has dropped to a very attractive mark and should appreciate this ease in grade. The Roselier gelding is a tough customer to deal with on his day and will still be nagging away at the leaders when others have cried enough. He proved his resolution to get a trip when at least completing in last season's Grand National and, with the cut in the ground sure to suit, another bold bid anticipated from the old boy. Rosalyons usually goes well on his visits to Newcastle but his appetite for a real slog through the mud has to be taken on trust and his chance is best limited to a place, despite being set to race off a featherweight; albeit from just over a stone out of the handicap . The same has to be said of Brair Rose, who was disappointing last time, so the vote for a value selection stays with Birkdale, who has a good opportunity to land his first victory for his current yard off a mark over 2 stone lower than his best over hurdles.
