A race that is complicated by the fact that three of the main protagonists at the overnight stage have a preferred entry on today's other card at Warwick. However, whichever route Grand Finale takes he will be hard to beat and he has to merit the utmost respect if either meeting survives the predicted cold snap. In the event that Venetia Williams' charge takes the journey north though, Desert Air is selected in the hope that Martin Pipe has him ready to go for his reappearance and the son of Desert King is chosen over Hawadeth, Brooklyn's Gold and Avitta, who all arrive here with strong claims and will make this a real test for the rest. The John Mackie-trained Haditovski is also worth considering if there are signs of confidence behind his chance as he is better than he showed last time and he could yet surprise a few if he runs anywhere near his capabilities. So too can Bound, who is a consistent sort that deserves a change of fortune after a couple of near misses in better races than this of late. However, he looks vulnerable at the weights today and, as his connections appear to have a preference for the bigger prize available at Warwick anyway, he would be opposable on balance if he made the line up. In summary then Desert Air, who had the likes of Thesis, Goldbrook and Sud Bleu behind him on his penultimate start, is taken to expand upon the run of fair form shown by the Pipe team of late. It can be considered significant that Desert Air has been held back until this late in the season and he will be a very interesting runner if he takes up his engagement in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham after this.
