Lively Baron has already scored over these obstacles and has to go on the short-list despite his penalty. But the interesting one may be MAXDELAS, who raced against decent company in three runs in France and is proven on soft ground. Venetia Williams saddles a couple of promising newcomers in Opera Og and Rozolenn but the stable is in a bit of a lull at the moment, while bumper winner Miss Abbey was well beaten on her hurdles bow at Musselburgh. Nemo Spirit was a decent stayer on the Flat last year but recent efforts haven't offered much encouragement ahead of his debut under NH rules.
Lively Baron (IRE) 2-7fav (10-12) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again approaching 3 out, pressed 2 out, ridden approaching last, driven out, held on well towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Palace Jester (10-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Bishophill Jack (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, went 2nd before next until after 3 out, soon driven in 3rd and not pace of leading duo, 3rd of 16, 9l behind High Benefit (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
El Diego (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, hampered 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 13, 26l behind Highland Valley (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Jack The Gent (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led from 1st and keen, headed approaching and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 18, 31l behind Palace Jester (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Jam Tomorrow (FR) 100-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 3rd, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Kid Cassidy (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Jomade (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 18l behind Kasbadali (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May.
Maxdelas (FR) (10-12) 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Zaliapour (10-5) at Pau(FR) 2m hdl hvy in Feb.
Mr Supreme (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 40l behind Diocles (11-0) at Southwell 2m n h flat (5) std.
Mudita Moment (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 9f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 13l behind Fishoutofwater (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Nemo Spirit (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Tracked leader, hard ridden over 4f out, switched to race stands side over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, 7th of 10, 32l behind Act Of Kalanisi (9-7) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct (flat).
Opera Og (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chsd ldrs, 4th 1/2way & prog in 2nd 4out, disp when lft clr 2out, slowed into last, snugly at fin, won at Liscarroll 2m ire ptp sft in Mar beating An Fear Ceol (11-7) by 3l, 12 ran.
Rozolenn (FR) 11-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders approaching 2 out, 4th and beaten when not fluent last, 5th of 14, 14l behind Promising Anshan (10-10) at Southwell 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Saint Denis (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Always behind, 10th of 15, well behind Sonofvic (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Boosha 125-1 (10-5) Mid-division, towards rear and reminders before 7th, never on terms after, 7th of 17, 32l behind Habbie Simpson (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Miss Abbey 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 8l behind Lastroseofsummer (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
