Most of these have some sort of claim but ANOTHER FRONTIER revealed vast improvement the last day when hunting up the well-regarded Battle Of Shiloh at Warwick. He ought to progress further now but a repeat of that form alone would make him hard to beat. Bryden Boy is starting to look exposed whereas Grandasowt, Semper Invicta and Kilcullen Flem all have shown more than enough promise to suggest they could take a part here. Blackdown Hills stayed on steadily to land a bumper in May last year but hasn't been seen since and has yet to encounter testing conditions.
Another Frontier (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, closed 6th, went 2nd next, challenged 3 out, edged right before last, stayed on flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Battle Of Shiloh (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Driftwood Haze 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, struggling 6th, remote 8th after 3 out, 8th of 14, 30 1/2l behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Grandasowt (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) In touch, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 14, 37 1/4l behind Never Equalled (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Kilcullen Flem (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, hard ridden when challenged 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Crazy Jack (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Semper Invicta (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 7th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, brief rally on outside before next, 6th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Western Cape (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) sft in Dec.
Blackdown Hills 7-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd and ridden well over 2f out, staying on same pace when left in lead and 3 lengths clear 1f out, idled final 100 yards, just held on, won at Worcester 2m (6) gd in May beating Deshan (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Bryden Boy (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led narrowly to after 2nd, remained in touch, chased winner 4 out to 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance in clear 3rd from last, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Quinto (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
