Mizen Raven has won two of the last three novices¿ hurdles he has contested and looks a gelding on the upgrade, so with the hope he¿ll handle the ground he is taken to score. The concern of the going is a genuine one, for Alison Thorpe¿s charge has not raced on anything slower than good to soft, but on ability he looks the one to side with. Party Palace could do no more than win as she did last time and Stuart Howe¿s filly is another who has going doubts but if she can overcome those then she too is a serious contender. C&d suits Darfen, though he may have too much weight, while Corran Ard is an interesting entry and with Sadler¿s Wells in his pedigree he may well be able to handle conditions, so could go well. Even so, Mizen Raven is going the right way and is selected here.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Mid-division, outpaced 5th, no danger after, 8th of 12, well behind Los Nadis (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 7th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Hypnotic Vibes (10-7) at Southwell 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Aug, 8 ran.
Corran Ard (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Jumped right, chased leaders, ridden and one pace from 4 out, 4th of 10, 35l behind Orrezzo (10-5) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Darfen (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, in touch, every chance approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Rising Force (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jul.
Mizen Raven (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led approaching 5th, edge left under pressure approaching last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating El Coto (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Cannon Fire (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off from 8th, 12th of 16, well behind Blue Splash (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Party Palace 9-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, rallied to lead approaching 2 out, ran on well flat, won at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug beating Raise Again (11-3) by 10l, 7 ran.
