Nicky Henderson saddles Oscar Whisky and Aegean Dawn, with Barry Geraghty partnering the former who was unbeaten under rules until finishing fourth in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. The latter was impressive when beating Mille Chief over C&D last time, however, and is clearly improving. Four-year-olds don't have a great record in this race but Notus De La Tour proved a tough novice last season, while Toubab takes part after his engagement here yesterday was abandoned. Paul Nicholls also saddles Advisor, who still looked full of running when brought down at Newbury last month, and Tito Bustillo. The last-named having made a promising comeback behind Nearby at Wincanton. Bothy ran well behind Menorah at Cheltenham, but was a long way behind SALDEN LICHT on the Flat at Doncaster earlier. Alan King's six-year-old, lightly-raced over timber, would go close here if carrying his recent progress over to the winter game.
Get Me Out Of Here (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Raced wide, held up towards rear, headway on outside before 4th, chased leaders 4 out, every chance when hit 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 17, 23l behind Menorah (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Nearby 10-1 (11-7) Chased leading pair, ridden pushed left and stumbled 2 out, outpaced soon after, last of 5, 31l behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Newbury 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Luska Lad (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Chased leader in close 2nd, led approaching 5 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last (scoped badly post race), 4th of 6, 9l behind Gimli's Rock (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Nov.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, hit 3 out, effort when not much room soon after, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 18, 4l behind Menorah (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Mille Chief (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4 out, tracked leaders going well 2 out, ridden to challenge winner last, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Aegean Dawn (9-9) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Toubab (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up 4th in touch, tracked leading pair going well after 4 out, challenged on bit approaching last, led flat, soon clear, unextended, won at Haydock 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Drill Sergeant (11-6) by 8l, 4 ran.
Bygones of Brid (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Led at decent pace, clear when slow and reduced lead 2nd, ridden and joined when hit 3 out, soon headed, lost 2nd next, edged left under pressure and weakened before last, 4th of 5, 13l behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Newbury 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Salden Licht 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led after next, headed last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Captain Chris (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Notus De La Tour (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, soon tracking leaders, not fluent 2 out ridden and weakened approaching last, 7th of 11, 25l behind Orsippus (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Alsadaa (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Led, challenged from 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 16l behind Tocca Ferro (10-2) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Aegean Dawn 4-11fav (9-9) Held up in touch, headway to join leaders going very well 3 out, shaken up to lead approaching last , pushed clear, comfortable, won at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Nov beating Mille Chief (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Orsippus (USA) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden after 4 out, modest headway from 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 17, 26l behind Menorah (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Oldrik (GER) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, hit next, kept on well, 5th of 11, 9l behind Tocca Ferro (10-2) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Tito Bustillo (FR) 13-2 (10-4) Chased clear leaders, closed 4th, chased leading pair after 3 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Nearby (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov.
Westlin' Winds (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, headed after 4 out, ridden next, one pace approaching 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 16, 23l behind Nearby (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
Bothy 16-1 (9-13) Chased leader, led and hit 4 out, headed after 2 out, rallied gamely towards finish, just held, 2nd of 17, nk behind Menorah (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Recession Proof (FR) 9-4 (11-5) In touch, went right 6th, went 3rd after 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, upsides last, soon led, idled and edged left flat, driven right out, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Brackloon High (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Palomar (USA) 20-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, carried head awkwardly flat but kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Sep beating Tarkari (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Advisor (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Not always fluent, towards rear until badly hampered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Tocca Ferro (10-13) at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Karasenir (IRE) 8-13fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led when not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, joined last, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 18, 1 3/4l behind Andhaar (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Secret Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 30l behind Aegean Dawn (9-9) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
