Two Miles West created a favourable impression when making a winning hurdling debut at Wetherby in October and lost no caste in defeat behind Boychuk in a better race at Cheltenham subsequently so is taken to resume winning ways against some moderate looking opposition of who the pick look to be Fibre Optics and Nikola. The last mentioned had some useful form in the French Provinces and could be anything. He certainly showed promise on his debut for Nigel Twiston-Davies and makes more appeal than Henrietta Knight's Cadtauri, who needs to improve on all known form. Topkat is capable but inconsistent, while Copper Bay failed to progress from a promising hurdling debut last time. Jonjo O'Neill's bumper winner Fibre Optics clearly has ability but may lack the class of stable companion Two Miles West, who gets the vote.
Two Miles West (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, mistake next, challenged, went left, mistake last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Boychuk (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.
Cadtauri (FR) 80-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and stayed on from 4 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 36l behind Tokala (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Fibre Optics (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Prominent, ridden and challenged 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 25l behind Raffaello (11-10) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Nikola (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, every chance approaching 3 out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 22, 7l behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
Sakenos (POL) 20-1 (11-5) Led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Kalmini (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd.
Song of Vala 11-2 (8-9) Towards rear, headway 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 5l behind Boundless Prospect (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
Topkat (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Held up , stayed on strongly from 2 out, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Siberian Highness (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Copper Bay (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, hit last, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Ortolan Bleu (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft in Dec.
