Despite the large turnout here, only a few can be seriously fancied, with Red Ruffles taken to beat Harapour, Pointalism and newcomer Gingerbread House. Red Ruffles pleasantly surprised connections when scoring on his bumper debut at Newbury in November as he had seemed slow at home, but he is obviously learning fast as he has already opened his account over hurdles. That was just over a fortnight ago at Doncaster where he knuckled down to his task well when sent about his business in the straight, and can be fancied to defy a penalty today. His main opponent is Paul Nicholls' Harapour who also carries a penalty for his Exeter victory in February. With hindsight he was turned out too soon when sent to Chepstow five days later, and has had a break since. However, this trip and the ground will test the ex-French Flat performer and he will do well to master Red Ruffles, whose rider can claim a 10lb allowance. Of the rest Pointalism, pulled up behind Trabolgan on his Newbury debut, makes some appeal but he is a chaser in the making, and newcomer Gingerbread House is well regarded at Addlestrop. On form though, the one to beat is Red Ruffles.
