Idle Talk, Mrs Bee and Blue Business look the three to concentrate on in this competitive opener and the vote is given to Idle Talk. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating Reflected Glory last time out. Granted this looks tougher but he is held in very high regard and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Blue Business rates the main danger on his best hurdles form but he has not progressed as expected over fences so can not be put forward with any confidence. Mrs Bee is another that is in top form and won well last time when beating Yeoman Sailor in a hunter chase but this looks much more competitive and she will need to improve to score. Of the remainder High Cotton is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but Idle Talk is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Idle Talk (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led briefly 8th, led again 4 out, ridden approaching last, driven out, won at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan beating Reflected Glory (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Red Georgie (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Led, headed after 9th, ridden and weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Leading Man (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (B) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
Blue Business 12-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place and not fluent 6th, soon ridden, struggling from next, 11th of 14, well behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
High Cotton (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place 12th, stayed on approaching last, finished well, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Prince of Slane (9-13) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Moving On Up 200-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Billyvoddan (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Mrs Be (IRE) 4-6fav (10-7) won at Dunthrop 3m 5f ptp gd in Jan beating Coral Island (11-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Soroka (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Not jump well, always behind, 11th of 15, 41l behind Monger Lane (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Tank Buster 33-1 (10-10) Behind, lost touch 6th, took poor 3rd last, 3rd of 9, well behind Taranis (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
Sarahs Quay (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Always last, mistake 6th, lost touch 8th, tailed off when blundered 12th, last of 6, well behind Star De Mohaison (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
