Easby Park has stepped up from his bumper form since being put over hurdles with a good success at Wetherby in May followed by a creditable effort in defeat at Sedgefield last month on his reappearance and he has to be respected but may struggle to give weight away to HONEST JOHN, who gets the vote with Grizebeck rated the best of the rest. The selection showed decent form in bumpers with a win of Aintree's Champion Bumper the highlight and, although yet to translate that form over hurdles, Tom Tate's gelding has shown enough to suggest that a race of this nature will be well within his compass. Triton is closely matched with Easy Park on running behind Tot Of The Knar and Julie Camacho's gelding has to be considered. Bobtante has given little sign of encouragement this term but Howard Johnson has his team in great form so he cannot be completely ruled out and of more interest may be the Nicky Richards-trained Grizebeck, who was good value for his Bangor success and lost no caste in defeat at Sandown in a better race last time. He has every chance but Honest John looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account and he is taken to do just that.
Easby Park 18-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, 10 lengths down in 2nd when hit last, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Tot Of The Knar (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Good Line (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden 6th, never dangerous after, 9th of 14, well behind Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Grizebeck (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, driven and weakened before next, 5th of 7, 24l behind Junior (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Barrow Way (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Diamond Frontier (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 16 ran.
Beallyoucanbe (IRE) Kahtan gelding out of Sparkling Native.
Billsgrey (IRE) 80-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon struggling, behind from 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Don't Ask Me (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Bobtante (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, lost place from 3rd, 8th of 11, well behind Benfleet Boy (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Honest John Evensfav (10-12) In touch, chased leader after 4 out until 3 out, left 2nd next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 21, 17l behind Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Ten Carat 22-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 15, 40l behind Festival King (10-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs 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.
Esme Rides A Gaine 28-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced over 5f out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, well behind Brackenmoss (11-2) at Hexham 2m mrs nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Ethel Briggs 100-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division and keen, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 21 ran.
Henbeck Lady (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Held up, pushed along after 7th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Gypsy George (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Oyashshecan (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Jumped left 1st, soon behind, not fluent 3rd, tailed off from 7th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Star Lord (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
