It'd be no surprise to see an improved display from Valick but our preference is for PENN DA BENN ahead of Vodka Brook. After a disappointing start to the season, Alan King's horses are gradually working their way back into form and this one advertised that when second to a better-fancied stablemate last time. That form has been franked by the winner and if building on it this 135-rated hurdler could have too many guns for his opposition, particularly as there are no concerns about the trip or ground. Vodka Brook looks worthy of his hurdles mark of 125, but the gelding hasn't particularly impressed with his jumping of the larger obstacles this season. In four tries he's unseated twice, so despite the fact he's a soft ground winner who stays the trip and remains capable of better, we're prepared to oppose him until he shows that he can jump proficiently. The aforementioned pair look to have plenty in hand of their rivals, but if there is an improver lurking it could well be Valick. Paul Nicholls' gelding won an Irish point-to-point on heavy ground, so despite the fact he needs to leave the bare form of his rules debut behind that remains possible. Even so, this may be beyond him at this stage although third place looks there for the taking. The rest make little appeal but are headed by Picture In The Sky. The nine-year-old does have questions to answer having failed to complete the last twice, but those efforts were in better company and a strict reading of his hurdles rating gives this one claims. Our feeling is that figure of 130 is a most flattering one however, so the best he may achieve is a modest fourth. Marigolds Way is the only other worthy of note. The mare is rated 96 and that looks about her level, so clearly she's plenty on her plate to win this and she'll need more than one rival to falter. In a race that may develop into a match, Penn Da Benn rates a confident selection.
Mooncoin Man (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Led to 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Officier De Reserve (10-12) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '08.
Penn Da Benn (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Held up in last, not fluent 6th, went 4th 9th, progressed to go 3rd after 12th, 2 lengths down 2 out, beaten approaching last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Over Sixty (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov stks (3) sft in Jan.
Picture In The Sky (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up, hampered 2nd, slow 6th, lost place halfway, soon tailed off, pulled up 14th, in a race won by Khachaturian (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Smart Dwellie 16-1 (12-0) Bhnd til hdwy 4 out; went 2nd last; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Misstree Dancer (11-0) at Kingston St Mary 3m ptp in Mar.
Valick (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Keen hold early, held up in rear, pulled 4th when jumped right 12th, left poor 3rd 4 out, tailed off when blundered next, 3rd of 6, well behind Mark The Book (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, every chance bypassing omitted 3 out, disputing, beaten 2nd when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by King's Forest (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs, 6 ran.
Marigolds Way 40-1 (10-13) Behind, mistake 5th, headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 5th of 13, 10l behind Senor Shane (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
