Nicky Henderson sets a real poser here by saddling three of the seven runners. REIGNING SUPREME won two of his three runs over hurdles but has always looked a chasing type and may be the pick of the trio ahead of Cosmos Des Obeaux, having his first run for the champion trainer, and Baden, who will need to improve on his fourth at Sandown. Keeper Hill and Coastal Tiep were both well beaten under penalties last time and Work In Progress has even more on his plate giving 5lb to that pair and 10lb to the others.
Work In Progress (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) In lead when blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Southwell 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov.
Coastal Tiep (FR) 15-8 (11-5) Tracked winner, challenged 8th, led 10th, headed next, not fluent 14th, mistake 3 out, beaten from next, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Captain Chaos (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Keeper Hill (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Led in 2nd place 1st, slight peck 10th, ridden and held before 2 out, mistake 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Benatar (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) gs in Nov.
Baden (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, soon lost place, behind when went left 12th, lost touch 3 out, stayed on well from last, took modest 4th near finish, no chance with leaders, 4th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Jameson (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Cosmos Des Obeaux (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Cousin Oscar (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Reigning Supreme (IRE) 7-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 3 out, ridden to challenge last, soon led, edged left flat, in command towards finish, won at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Mar beating Strong Pursuit (11-12) by 1l, 4 ran.
Tintern Theatre (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure after next, ridden and stayed on well flat, took 4th near finish, not quite reach leaders, 4th of 15, 1 1/4l behind What A Moment (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
