Mumbles Head is the useful bench mark in this Novice Chase but after taking well to fences last time we prefer the chances of top hurdler TAZBAR while Passport Control is an interesting runner for top connections. Rated at 157 over timber the selection was thought good enough for a tilt at the World Hurdle last season. While that ultimately proved folly he won some decent prizes in that sphere and scored well enough on his debut over the big stuff to suggest he'll make his mark. Mumbles Head carries a rating of 140 after two starts over fences including victory on his first try. He beat home a subsequent winner last time when finding just one too good so while he is respected he has plenty to find based on his hurdles form. Passport Control scored in a point to point on his only start between the flags and was perhaps lucky to score in a three runner race on his rules debut as he was the only one left standing when looking beaten. He should come on for that run though and is bred well enough to show that here. Double Default should be better than he's shown in this sphere so can be given a chance and Classic Cut jumped well enough on debut to also be added to the list. This looks a race for the notebooks and Tazbar should be the name to take down.
Mumbles Head (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, headway 5 out, challenged when hit 3 out, kept on and every chance, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Weapon's Amnesty (11-2) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Passport Control 11-4 (11-2) Disputed lead until weakened after 5 out, left in lead after next, finished alone, won at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 3 ran.
Tazbar (IRE) 1-3fav (11-2) Held up, headway to track leading pair 5 out, led next, soon in command, drew clear from 2 out, eased right down flat comfortably, won at Musselburgh 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Logans Run (10-11) by 11l, 5 ran.
Blue Shark (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, tailed off, in a race won by Synchronised (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Bobtante (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Elzahann (10-12) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Classic Cut 14-1 (10-10) Held up, jumped left 3rd, hit 6th, outpaced 10th, kept on to take moderate 3rd, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Comhla Ri Coig (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Double Default (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by The Hollinwell (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Greenbelt 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 4 out, one pace from next, 5th of 14, 8l behind Double Vodka (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
Le Platino (GER) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, weakened after last, 7th of 8, 42l behind King of Confusion (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Paddys Unyoke (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 40l behind Sea Venture (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Rico Hombre (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, went modest 3rd briefly before 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 35l behind Our Hero (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
Texas Holdem (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 4th of 15, 36l behind Viper (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Dec '08.
Chief Lady Olwyn 200-1 (10-8) In rear, hit 4th, soon behind tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by April San (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (5) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
