PRETTY STAR is given the vote to defy a seven pound penalty with both Supreme Keano and Sharajan worth noting. The selection has really hit form of late winning two of his last three races. He had tumbled down the weights since winning in novice company and he still could be fairly treated by the handicapper despite his penalty. His connections are keen to get another run into him before he is due to be reassessed so he is clearly the one horse in the race to stay on the right side of. Supreme Keano bids for a hat-trick of wins after winning at Towcester and Chepstow. He is now eighteen pounds higher in the weights since winning the first of those races so faces his toughest task to date. That said his trainer is in fine form this winter so is one to add to the short list. Sharajan has been knocking on the door of late but is yet to get off the mark over fences. He does look reasonably treated compared to his hurdle rating so any market moves should be noted. However for the winner we return to Pretty Star.
Pretty Star (GER) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, mistake last, won at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan beating Antonius Caesar (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Supreme Keano (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 3rd, led again 4 out, ran on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan beating Notabotheronme (11-4) by 2l, 18 ran.
Robin De Sherwood (FR) 40-1 (10-13) Mid-division , ridden 7th, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Greenbelt (10-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 10, 20l behind Rustarix (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway to go prominent 7th, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Twelve Paces (9-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Rare Society (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, headed next, left in lead again 6th, soon clear, ridden approaching last, rider dropped whip and headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Montevideo (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in J.
Killard Point (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, chased winner 9th until 3 out, soon one pace and no impression on front pair, 3rd of 15, 19l behind The Sawyer (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Sharajan (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Prominent, jumped left from 6th, chased winner 12th, jumped badly left, no chance from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Saphir Des Bois (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Big Rob (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened last, finished 5th, awarded 4th place, 4th of 18, 9l behind Lady Pilot (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Santando 7-2 (11-12) Not fluent, held up in touch, blundered 6th, pecked 9th, close up when fell 5 out in race won by Georges Boy (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Marufo (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mistake 2nd, behind, hit 4th and next, headway 14th, ridden 4 out and weakened before next, 7th of 15, 30l behind The Sawyer (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Seize 7-2jt-fav (11-7) Mid-division, some headway and every chance 4 out, soon ridden and kept on until approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec beating Stravaigin (11-2) by 4l, 13 ran.
The Deadly (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, lost place before halfway, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Mutineer (11-12) at Naas 3m hcp chs 0-109 sft in Nov, 13 ran.
