Puyol was a decent hurdler in Ireland but the jury is out now after he was pulled up on his first start for new connections at Aintree. Stable companion Petrosian is fully exposed, while A French Horse is probably best watched on his return from a lay-off with his stable yet to hit form. Wind Shuffle has won twice over hurdles at Perth this year but has been off the course since July so this may rest between previous winner Betabob and KELLYSTOWN LAD. The former finally broke his duck under rules at Ffos Las last month but he lacks the scope of Ferdy Murphy's charge, who has already won three point-to-points and won a well-contested event at Sedgefield last time.
Betabob (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Keen early, in touch in rear, headway traveling well 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and ran on flat, won at Ffos Las 2m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Kack Handed (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Kellystown Lad (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Held up in rear and raced wide, headway approaching 11th, soon chased leaders, led approaching last and jumped right, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Pokanoket (10-5) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
A French Horse (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Close up until badly hampered 5th, handy soon after, led 3 out, clear when hit last, driven out and kept on run-in, won at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '09 beating Topsham Belle (10-2) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Petrosian 20-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, jumped left 2nd, weakened after 5 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 44l behind Sway (9-11) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Puyol (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Raced in rear, headway halfway, pushed along 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Quartz De Thaix (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 4-5fav (11-5) Made all, ridden and blundered 2 out, soon under pressure, stayed on well from last, won at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Duty Free (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
