In the opener, I'm So Lucky gets the vote ahead of Go Solo and Bon Viveur. A Listed winner on the Flat, I'm So Lucky ran very well on his hurdling debut at Newbury and, with this being a modest affair overall, has to be given every chance. Amirel Jabal is a French winner that showed very little on his British debut; however, from the David Pipe yard, he ought to be capable of better. Pipe also runs Go Solo, whose fourth behind the impressive Amaretto Rose at Ascot last time reads pretty well in the context of this race. Beneficial Bud won a Clonmel bumper but has not shown too much in two British runs. Bon Viveur has shown some ability in two hurdling starts and, being from a good yard, has better claims than most in a modest affair. Corum is a Flat winner that achieved a rating in the mid-80s so has to be given some thought, while, being from an in-form yard, Russian Consort, who has hinted at ability, can also be given some thought. Overall, though, we will stick with I'm So Lucky.
Beneficial Bud (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, hit 7th, soon struggling, behind when hampered throughout, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Trigger The Light (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Flash Point (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Chased leader to approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Mister Quasimodo (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) hvy.
Go Solo 25-1 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 16, 33l behind Amaretto Rose (10-5) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
I'm So Lucky 14-1 (11-0) Close up, shaken up approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 18, 15l behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Russian Consort (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 4th, behind after next, 14th of 18, well behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Safari Sunset (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Regal Raider (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcap (5) pol in Dec (Flat).
Slavedriver 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, beaten when fell 2 out in race won by Corran Ard (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Amir El Jabal (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Close up, lost place before last, soon no chance, last of 6, 46l behind Classic Dream (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Cliffords Girl 25-1 (10-5) Never fluent, behind, pecked 3rd, lost touch 6th, beaten when fell 2 out in race won by La Grande Villez (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Bon Viveur 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 23l behind Predateur (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) sft.
Corum (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, driven along 3f out, weakened rapidly, 17th of 18, 10l behind Folio (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Nov (Flat).
