As a winner over course and distance over timber Scale Bank is respected in this Beginners' Chase but Peter Monteith's ST KILLIAN'S RUN is the standard setter on form over timber so has our marginal call with Smugglers Bay also of some interest. It could be that this race won't take a great deal of winning and it is interesting that connections swap the pick to life over fences after just a handful of hurdles runs. He showed enough promise in those starts to earn a rating of 120 and that form just about leads the others. Scale Bank ran well in a similar race on soft ground last time when taking to the big stuff for the first time. That experience may help here and he should come on for the outing. Smugglers Bay wouldn't have to find a great deal of improvement based on his hurdles run to feature strongly on his chase bow while Le Pantino acts well in testing conditions and needs considering. It looks quite a tight contest despite only a few runners but if running up to his hurdles form St Killian's Run should score.
Benny The Piler (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 14th, 6th of 10, 39l behind Youngstown (11-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Ellandshe (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened from 5 out, 3rd of 4, 50l behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft.
Le Platino (GER) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, weakened after last, 7th of 8, 42l behind King of Confusion (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Scale Bank (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, 4th of 14, 8l behind Double Vodka (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Behind, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Open de L'Isle (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
St Killian's Run (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, no impression from last, 4th of 14, 21l behind Hollins (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
