The filly Max Of Stars beat Balboa on worse terms at Market Rasen to record a fourth victory over timber. She will probably try to make all again here but several of these like to race prominently including Gifted Angel, who seeks a fourth win over timber himself. Hurdling debutant Royal Deeside led until close home over 1m6f at Salisbury last month so the race should be run to suit I STILL HAVE FAITH, who came from off the pace to score over track and trip last month when having a first run over hurdles.
Balboa 10-11fav (11-0) Prominent, led before 3 out, ridden and forged on 2 out, good jump last and asserted run-in, readily, won at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Oct beating Castelfort (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Climate Precedent 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, hit next, ridden and stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Vitani (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Gifted Angel (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leader, jumped into lead 3 out, ridden 2 out, went clear after last, won at Kempton 2m (3) gd in Oct beating Captain Marvellous (11-0) by 5l, 12 ran.
I Still Have Faith 4-7fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway 5th, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, led last, stayed on, pushed out, won at Wetherby 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Weigh Anchor (10-7) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Royal Deeside 11-2 (9-4) Took keen hold, led, ridden and faced strong challenge over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Military Tycoon (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Running The Game (FR) 5-1 (9-2) 7th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Barbate (9-2) at Clairefontaine 1m 4f mdn stks gs in Jun.
Seraphic (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, soon chasing leaders out wide, pushed along 4f out, weakened 3f out, soon behind and eased, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Robusto (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Max Of Stars (FR) 6-4fav (11-1) Made all, hard pressed from last, stayed on very gamely and in command inside final 100 yards, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (2) gd in Sep beating Balboa (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
