Media Man can land this at the expense of Geton and Toulouse Express. The selection is yet to win after six starts but has been knocking on the door of late finishing second to Divex in a maiden chase at Catterick last time out. This is not the hottest looking novice chase and with enough form in the book he is taken to break his maiden tag this time out. Geton will pose as the biggest danger having caught the eye in similar contest at Kelso last time out. He was good enough to win a hurdle race for Martin Pipe three years ago but it is obvious that his ability is limited so questions remain to be answered. Toulouse Express landed a handicap hurdle last spring but he has failed to trouble the judge this winter in novice chases and others are prefer ed. So for the winner we return to Media Man.
Custom Design 80-1 (11-3) Held up, kept on from 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 10, well behind Hobbs Hill (11-3) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Geton (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Held up, headway 8th, left 2nd 2 out, effort approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 16l behind Brown Teddy (11-7) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Third Empire 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 15, 17l behind Water Taxi (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar '06.
Black Rainbow (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, one pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Smart Man (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Media man (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Soon led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Divex (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gf.
Za Beau (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) With leader, weakened from 7th, 5th of 8, 46l behind Roschal (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 7th, 10th of 17, well behind Lago (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f amt hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Norminster 25-1 (10-9) Held up, struggling from 5 out, 11th of 18, well behind Go Johnny (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Stand On Me 20-1 (10-8) Held up, headway when fell 4 out in race won by Roschal (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Troodos Jet 11-2 (10-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, struggling 7th, headway under pressure 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 9, 22l behind Barton Sun (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
