Three horses stand out here and it will be disappointing if the winner doesn't come from DOOR BOY, Tot Of The Knar or The Old Pretender. Our Hero is an Irish point winner who deserves a second look whilst Border Reiver and Lord Larsson have ability but they'll need to improve markedly in order to land the spoils. We'll start with The Old Pretender who was expected to make his mark in bumpers and was also well supported ahead of his hurdling bow. The third has given the form a big boost when winning a Cheltenham handicap and the yard is sending out the odd winner but not with the regularity that we'd like to see and he may be worth fielding against despite the presence of Geraghty in the saddle. Tot Of The Knar has been on the go for a while now but this tough mare continues to perform with credit. She ran well in a really competitive Cheltenham handicap last time and should be on the premises but she may need to be found an easier opportunity in order to get her head in front. Door Boy is awarded the vote here despite coming up short in two visits to the South. On the first of them he proved to be no match for the exciting Diamond Harry (where he had Tot Of The Knar behind) and in the second of them the experiment of trying him over the minimum failed as he lacked the pace to be competitive. This test would appear to be far more suitable and Door Boy is taken to confirm the impression he created when winning at Kelso in October.
Border Reiver 11-4 (11-5) In touch, hampered 4 out, modest 3rd soon after, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Fabalu (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Door Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Close up, effort after 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 8, 10l behind Medermit (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Tot Of The Knar 20-1 (10-7) Held up in last place, raced keenly, progress from 2 out, went 3rd last, no impression on front pair, lost position final 75 yards, 4th of 11, 8l behind Big Buck's (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Beallyoucanbe (IRE) Kahtan gelding out of Sparkling Native.
Flag Hill 150-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 13th of 16, well behind Palm Reader (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Frankie Anson (IRE) Needle Gun gelding out of Macha's Pet.
Lord Larsson 11-2 (10-12) Chased leaders and keen, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Palm Reader (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lunar Storm (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, outpaced 2f out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Magellan Straits 7-1 (11-1) Led over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 17, 10l behind Ellen Tilley (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Our Hero (IRE) (11-7) Prominent, led 2 out, left clear last, won at Maralin 3m ire ptp gf in Oct '07 beating Flemross (11-7) by 10l, 9 ran.
Pressman 80-1 (10-12) Chased leader until weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by On Raglan Road (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Silver Salvo 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened over 3f out, 9th of 15, 23l behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Sylvan Oak (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, led after 2f, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 25l behind Solway Sam (10-11) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
The Kealshore Kid (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 24l behind Oneforsaturday (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gf in May.
The Old Pretender (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Led, hit 2nd, ran wide on paddock bend, ridden and headed well before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Martys Mission (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Triton 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, led briefly after 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Tot Of The Knar (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ukrainian Star (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Ridden and weakened 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Quazy de Joie (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Quoquille Des Sacart (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, effort and every chance 2f out, no extra, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Diklers Oscar (10-9) at Haydock 2m mrs nhf (5) gf in Nov.
