CHAMPTHO may prove to be the best of some potentially useful runners in this contest and is preferred to Dr Livingstone and Rock 'n' Roller. Oliver Sherwood's gelding faces vastly different underfoot conditions than when scoring over course and distance but there's hope, on paper, at least that he'll handle the heavy ground. The form of his success may not amount to a great deal but he was good value for the win and can follow up. Charlie Egerton has his string in good order and Dr Livingstone is an interesting recruit to hurdling having found only a smart rival too strong on his latest start on the level on soft ground. He's expected to go well whilst Rock 'n' Roller also merits scrutiny as he was travelling well when falling at Kempton. He was a fair sort on the level at his best and should win races over hurdles in time but is another with something to prove on the ground. Daring Approach and Sail And Return are others worthy of mention but preference is for Champtho.
Champtho (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader and keen, led 2 out, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Dakiyah (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Ba Dreamflight 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, jumped left and not fluent 3rd, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out, 7th of 10, 31l behind Sereth (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Beau Lake (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Prominent and keen, blundered 1st, led approaching and fell 4th, in a race won by Dot's Delight (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Daring Approach (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led to 1st, 2nd 3rd, closed up 6th, led 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, one pace when hung left before last, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Postmaster (11-9) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec '08.
Dr Livingstone (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Raced keenly and led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, always held, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Rainbow Peak (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct (flat).
Kaycee (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Pressed leader until hampered and lost place bend after 5f, rear after, 11th of 15, 50l behind Any The Wiser (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Quam Celerrime 40-1 (8-11) Always in the rear, last of 9, 16l behind Transvestite (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcap (4) pol in Jan (flat).
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, fell 3 out, in a race won by Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 17 ran.
Sail And Return 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, chased winner over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Tzora (10-10) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Sarando 20-1 (10-12) Led until approaching 3rd, remained prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 17, 30l behind Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Ice Bellini 50-1 (10-0) Held up, hit 2nd, headway to moderate 4th after 3 out, kept on into modest 3rd flat, tailed off, 3rd of 6, 39l behind The Betchworth Kid (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov.
Island Oscar (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 4f out, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Cresswell Pride (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
