Kalahari King was bitterly disappointing last time but he is given another chance to prove his worth and he is our choice ahead of King In Waiting and Mr Crystal. Ferdy Murphys' charge had been touted as a Supreme Novices' Hurdle candidate and while those aspirations appear long gone, he obviously is a horse of some potential. He faced a stiff task last time to defy a winners penalty but even so he never travelled or jumped with any great fluency. That performance is probably best forgotton and another chance is taken with him. King In Waiting is very interesting. A classy performer on the level for John Oxx, he has failed to trouble the judge on three outings in the UK but has been noted doing his best work in the closing stages. Alloted a mark of 117, it is mystifying why connections have not opted to move into handicapping company. He is a winner waiting to happen but whether he has enough class to trouble the selection today remains to be seen. Mr Crystal is a winner of two early season juvenile hurdles and was far from disgraced last time when doubley penalised against his own age group. It is a different matter now though as he his tried in an all age race, conceding weight to the majority of his rivals. In a weak race though, he should be one for the placings. Yeoman Point has finished mid division in two hurdles outings to date but does not appear good enough to land this while Woodcraft hails from a yard in form but was very disappointing on his hurdling debut. A race where quite a few can be eliminated at first glance and Kalahari King is given the nod despite that disappointing effort last time.
Kalahari King (FR) 6-5fav (11-10) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, one pace approaching last, 4th of 16, 12l behind Rippling Ring (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Mr Crystal (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) In touch, led 3 out, clear approaching next, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
King In Waiting (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up and behind, headway when hit 3 out, soon driven along, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Superior Wisdom (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gs.
Moving Story 200-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, behind, reminders 4th, never dangerous, 12th of 18, 36l behind Blue Bajan (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Naval Attache 66-1 (10-0) Led and clear until after 4 out, headed next, soon weakened, 8th of 12, well behind Sheikhman (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
One Accord 200-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, weakened from 7th, 5th of 8, well behind Rightway Star (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 12th of 18, 41l behind Albinus (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Pressed leader, not fluent 1st or 5th, weakening when hampered 2 out, 6th of 15, 31l behind Sentry Duty (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Yorkshire Owl 200-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Sentry Duty (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Calow Green (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 5th of 13, 12l behind Rosie All Over (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Loch Awe 125-1 (10-13) Always behind, 13th of 16, well behind Puy d'Arnac (11-3) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Silver Alidante 150-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Katapult (11-1) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Woodcraft 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 19l behind Act Sirius (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
