The three previous winners should dominate this novices’ hurdle. After landing the odds at Taunton, useful chaser CHEF D’EQUIPE was only second when favourite at Leicester subsequently. He didn’t jump well that day and remains headstrong but is probably worth another chance off level weights against Catterick scorer Hogan's Height, another who is possibly better over fences, and Informateur, though Sue Smith’s charge has come up against decent opposition twice since winning over course and distance in November.
Chef D'Equipe (FR) 5-4fav (11-11) Made most, driven and headed narrowly approaching 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden, no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3 3/4l behind The Captains Inn (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jan.
Hogan's Height (IRE) 11-8 (11-2) Made most, joined 3 out, driven 2 lengths clear approaching next, ridden between last 2, hard pressed last, held on under pressure flat, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan beating Legalized (10-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Informateur (FR) 6-4fav (11-5) Keen in touch, headway into 3rd 4 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Buster Valentine (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Iwasthefutureonce (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Close up, lost ground on leading trio 9th, ridden along 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out, dismounted, at Newcastle 2m 7f (4) gs in Jan.
Thats Digby 14-1 (12-0) In tch til pu aft 6, at Heslaker 2m 4f gd in May.
