Dual winner Reel Charmer sets a decent standard in this four runner novice hurdle but faces no easy task giving weight away all round and, in receipt of weight, preference is for Gunnasayso with Freedom Flying rated the best of the rest. The selection showed promise in bumpers last season and has progressed with each start over hurdles, running a creditable second behind Snow Patrol under testing conditions at Chepstow recently and, with more improvement to come, he looks the one to beat. Clovella is hard to recommend on all known evidence and a bigger threat is likely to come from Pat Haslam's Freedom Flying, who is open to improvement after just three starts over hurdles. Reel Charmer obviously has to be respected but marginal preference is for the progressive Gunnasayso, who gets the vote.
Reel Charmer 13-8fav (11-3) In touch, led approaching 4 out, headed before next, gradually weakened, 5th of 16, 34l behind La Dame Brune (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Clovella 200-1 (10-8) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Sir Boreas Hawk (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.
Gunnasayso 9-1 (10-9) With winner, ridden 5th, weakening before last, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Snow Patrol (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Freedom Flying 10-1 (10-5) In touch, effort 3 out, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 14l behind Dance The Mambo (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
