This looks a competitive if not low grade Handicap Hurdle and after a good run first time out for his new yard WANDERING MINSTRAL still looks fairly treated and is our selection ahead of Mischief Man, who returns to timber after a good chase outing last time, with Dark Gentleman a possible for each-way backers. Tim Vaughan did his usual trick with the selection and got him to improve on his first run under his care. That outing saw him find just one too good in similar company and with just two pounds added to his back he can build on that run. Mischief Man ran well in a couple of chase starts recently including when picking up a silver medal over course and distance on his last attempt. He looks well treated on his return to timber and should be a leading player. Dark Gentleman has been tried in better company that this on his last two runs and despite being pulled up in both he should go better dropped in grade and to a mark the same as when filling a runners-up spot here last season. Oscar Trail can be given a squeak after his improved run last time but Wandering Minstral looks the call in an open race.
Dark Gentleman 20-1 (11-5) Held up, badly hampered 6th, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Berwick Law (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft, 14 ran.
Flying Doctor 40-1 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 14th of 17, well behind Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Just Waz (USA) 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, reminders approaching 7th, never on terms, 6th of 14, 40l behind One Cool Day (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f sell hdl (5) gd in May.
Bert's Memory 14-1 (11-3) Always behind, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Victory Surge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 14-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 31l behind Amir Pasha (11-1) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 3yo+ (5) gs.
Mischief Man 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Braddock Island (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Wandering Minstral 5-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, good headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, chased winner approaching next, kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Posh Emily (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Imperial Royale (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) With leaders, led 5th, headed after 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Youngstown (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 19 ran.
Kalibs Dream 66-1 (11-2) Held up and keen, headway approaching 7th, weakened after next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Quay Meadow (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl (5) sft in Dec '08, 16 ran.
Cornish Castle (USA) 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway 3 out, soon driven and one pace, 7th of 13, 22l behind Kudu Country (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Safin (GER) 22-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 11, 40l behind Command Marshal (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Shadrack (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Led and clear to 4 out, headed next, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 16, well behind Quantitativeeasing (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Oscar Trial (IRE) 22-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led approaching last, soon headed, kept on, just held towards finish, 2nd of 17, shd behind Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Royal Premium 150-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 39l behind Kudu Country (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
