Little Brick, Major Oak and Unowatimeen look the three to concentrate on in division two of the novices hurdle and the narrow vote is given to New Brick. The selection was a fair sort in his native France has conditions to suit and with his yard continuing in good form he is taken to win on his British dwebut. Major Oak rates the main danger on his latest second behind Shrewd Investor but he will do well to give weight and a beating to some less exposed types and is taken on with this in mind. Unowatimeen was a fair second behind All For Luck last time and is another with place claims but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. John Forbes has conditions to suit and could go well at a price while High Stand is another that has ran with promise but he may be seen to better effect once handicaped and for the winner we return to New Brick.
Major Oak (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Led, headed 4, ridden 3 out, rallied to challenge next, kept on, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Shrewd Investor (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Boston Mate 100-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, not jump well and pulled up 2 out in race won by Poker De Sivola (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Energy Boy 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden and some headway over 3f out, no impression after, 7th of 15, 44l behind Theatrical Moment (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan.
High Delight 250-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 9th, 10th of 14, well behind Key Time (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
High Stand Lad 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 8l behind Raining Horse (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Isan (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and blundered 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 18, 25l behind Buster Hyvonen (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
John Forbes 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led 5th until approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 10, 21l behind Burntoakboy (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Little Brick (FR) (11-0) Always prominent, effort last, led flat, ran on well, won at Auteuil 2m 7f hcp chs in Oct '05 beating Jo Banbou (9-9) by 2l, 12 ran.
Mrdeegeethegeegee (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up, always behind, 7th of 13, 22l behind Raining Horse (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Roman Army (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, completely tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Elkras Wings (10-8) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 0-95 hvy in Oct.
Sharkeys Dream (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Always behind, hampered 7th and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Wee Forbees (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Toy Gun (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Took keen early, held up, reminders after 3rd, tailed off when blundered 3 out and pulled up 5 out in race won by Shrewd Investor (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Unowatimeen (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 15l behind All For Luck (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Delta Lady 50-1 (8-0) Held up, hampered over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 6l behind Vermilion Creek (8-13) at Pontefract 1m sll hcp (F4) frm in Sept '04 (Flat).
My Wee Woman 100-1 (10-0) Held up behind, weakened from 6th, 8th of 15, 44l behind Nevertika (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
