chased leaders, driven approaching 6th, ridden next, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, reminders 6th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, outpaced when hit 4 out, no impression when pulled up after 2 out, dismounted
raced keenly in mid-division, outpaced 7th, soon beaten
tracked leader, stumbled after 6th, led next, hard pressed from 3 out, ridden approaching last, held on under pressure flat
behind, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged next, kept on and every chance until edged left and one pace flat
mid-division, reminders 5th, headway 4 out, challenged next, soon ridden, kept on and every chance, held near finish
led to 7th, blundered 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next
chased leaders, hit 6th, soon lost place, no danger after
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression
Of Course is a tentative choice ahead of Anglican and Mr Barnacle to land this despite the presence of some interesting rivals. Kate Milligans' charge has displayed a high level of ability in bumpers when his odds were not reflective of his efforts. From a small yard, value is likely to be again on offer and should be availed of. Anglican makes his UK debut and rates a big danger but under a winners penalty might just be vulnerable. Drying ground conditions are not likely to be in his favour but horses from the Ferdy Murphy yard have to be shown utmost consideration, particularly if the market speaks in his favour. Mr Barnacle made an eyecatching hurdling debut, an effort that stands him in with a major shout here. He didn't jump with any great fluency on that occasion though and in a stronger contest will need to negotiate his obstacles in a more fluent manner. Others to consider are Cadoudalas and Mr Barnacle's stable companion Box Wallah but Of Course is likely to provide value and is our choice.
Anglican (FR) (10-10) Prominent, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Enghien 2m 2f clm hdl gs in Nov beating Artiste D'auvergny (9-11) by 4l, 8 ran.
Best Accolade 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort 4 out, ridden and weakened next, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Heraldry (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec '06, 16 ran.
Black Tom Tyrant (IRE) Synefos gelding out of an unraced mare.
Box Wallah (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 16l behind Viking Rebel (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Cadoudalas (FR) 11-4fav (11-0) With winner, every chance final 2f, held near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Blinded Bythelight (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Jack Tar (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
La Reserve (FR) Cadoudal gelding, half-brother to high-class hurdler Paola Pierji.
Mill Side Milieu gelding out of Little Greyside.
Mr Barnacle (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on approaching 2 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 7l behind Checkerboard (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Not Well (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Space Mission (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Of Course (FR) 40-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Kealshore Boy (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Package Holiday (IRE) Florida Son gelding, half-brother to winning hurdlers Supreme Music and Spoof.
Ruby Sunday 8-1 (11-4) In touch, outpaced over 3f out, no extra, 7th of 13, 19l behind Kingsben (11-4) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Tara For Now 50-1 (11-2) Held up, in touch until weakened 3f out, 9th of 11, 43l behind Bakbenscher (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Teenando (IRE) Teenoso gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Mini Minster 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on same pace next, 3rd of 13, 29l behind Overbranch (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.
