Inglis Drever stands out here and is selected ahead of Crystal d'Ainay and Mistanoora. Baracouda's absence from this race due to a clerical error is disappointing and, all things being equal, seems to have presented an excellent chance to Inglis Drever, who looks set to get the better of Crystal d'Ainay once again. The latter was four-and-three-quarter lengths behind the selection at Newbury in the Long Distance Hurdle on November 26th, and while that is not a huge deficit to claw back and, also, bearing in mind the old adage that you should never be frightened of one horse, the rule of ceteris paribus still applies. Brewster and Mistanoora are both very capable hurdlers, although the former has nearly 20 lengths to find with the selection based on October's West Yorkshire Hurdle form. Al of which returns us to Inglis Drever, who gets the call.
Brewster (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leader to 7th, hit next, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 20l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov.
Inglis Drever 8-13fav (11-8) Tracked leaders throughout, effort and headway 4 out, led soon after 2 out, jumped left last and ran on, won at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov beating Baracouda (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mistanoora 10-1 (11-12) Led 1st, narrowly headed 3rd, stayed chasing leader, blundered 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, strong challenge flat, just held, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind The Dark Lord (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Nov '04.
Starzaan (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Led, headed 4th, mistake and dropped rear 3 out, kept on again flat, 4th of 8, 11l behind Hasty Prince (11-4) at Sandown 2m hdl (B) gd in Apr '04.
