Verdict
Dual hurdles winner COURT IN SESSION has won four times over fences between the flags and has been quite highly tried in a couple of chases. This looks his big chance to get off the mark though Pantxoa has proved a consistent sort over hurdles over the last 12 months, though hasn't actually won for a while. Quiet Whisper did win over the smaller obstacles at Leicester in the autumn but is regarded as a fast-ground specialist and may find today's conditions too testing. Freddy's Star won a seller over hurdles last month but lacks a bit of scope and the others appear to have a lot to find to trouble the principals.
Formwatch
Brimley 8-1 (12-0) Lost tch 10, 6th of 10, 26l behind The Magherally Man (12-0) at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gs in Apr.
Court In Session (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Always behind, 23rd of 26, 25l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Dr Anubis (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, mid-division, headway and in touch 4th, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Reste Gosse (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd, 10 ran.
Freddy's Star (IRE) 7-4fav (10-9) In touch, headway 6th, ridden and went 3rd before 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Bin End (11-2) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (5) sft in Apr.
Pantxoa (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Shoegazer (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Quiet Whisper (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) In touch, led before 2 out, hit 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov beating Kayaan (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.