A trappy contest here where Hockenheim is the suggestion to get the better of Rathowen and Shouldhavehadthat. The selection returns after a lengthy layoff, but that is not such a concern with the Howard Johnson yard being in form. This trip and soft ground suited when he won back-to-back races at Carlisle in the autumn of 2006, both over hurdles, before being pulled up when stepped up in class at Cheltenham. Conditions again suit here and he is unlikely to be rushed about in this small field, which can also help give him plenty of daylight at his fences on his chase debut. Rathowen won a very ordinary beginners' chase at Ayr in November when last seen out and while at least he got his head in front there, he looks nothing special, and under a penalty does not make huge appeal if the selection can run to anything like his ability. Shouldhavehadthat was in the process of running a good race at Hereford last time before tipping up and does handle some cut in the ground, but he's had a bit to prove here. Witch Wind does also enjoys juice in the ground but pulled up in the race won by Rathowen last time and Hockenheim clearly looks to be the pick of the quartet.
Rathowen (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, outpaced 6 out, rallied approaching 4 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Ballyvoge (11-2) by 5l, 12 ran.
Hockenheim (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Flight Leader (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec '06, 8 ran.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, headed 10th, close up when fell at the 11th in race won by Over The Creek (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Witch Wind 11-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Rathowen (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
