A poor turnout for this event but Leac An Scail is our choice with No Picnic and Orki Des Aigles the alternatives. Leac An Scail has an unusual profile in that he has been contesting novice hurdles and chases in this season but that profile is progressive. He was last seen finishing second in a stamina sapping novice hurdle which should leave him spot on for today. The one worry is his lack of chasing experience, having just the one outing to date, that ending with him unseating his rider. He was well supported in that contest and hailing from the Smith yard, any jumping frailties are likely to be ironed out. No Picnic is very exposed and one paced but ground conditions were bottomless for his most recent outing at Kelso. He was uncharacteristically beaten out of sight on that particular day but back on a quicker surface will be more to his liking. Orki Des Aigles has been dropped an aggregate of 5lb from his last three outings and has to be respected on a second placing to Canada Street of that 5lb higher mark. Blinkers are applied for the first time and stamina will not be an issue but he is vulnerable conceding 9lb to an unexposed sort in Leac An Scail. Leac An Scail is our selection to land this marathon.
Orki Des Aigles (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, weakened 16th, tailed off, 12th of 19, well behind King Harald (11-8) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Charlie Crab (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
No Picnic (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Prominent until lost place and chased leaders 5th, ridden approaching 15th, soon beaten, 4th of 13, 20l behind Skenfrith (10-3) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Fourpointone 14-1 (9-10) Never a factor, 10th of 20, 38l behind Glenfolan (10-13) at Naas 3m hcp chs 0-109 gd in Nov.
Has Scored (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Close up, ridden 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 12, 23l behind Stoneriggs Merc (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Jan.
Alfabet Souk 17-2 (10-1) With leader, led 8th, headed 4 out, outpaced next, rallied approaching last, ridden and stayed on to lead again flat, won at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan beating Our Jim (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
