WICHITA LINEMAN looks the class act in this filed and if taken to win again at the expense of West End Rocker and Le Beau Bai. The selection was in winning action at Chepstow twice this winter and only came unstuck behind Lodge Lane at Exeter in between races which was no disgrace. He was a high class hurdler on his day and looks to be going the right way over fences so is worth staying on the right side of. West End Rocker was not as highly rated over hurdles but has shown decent form in his two chases to warrant respect. He was only a neck behind the selection off level weights at Chepstow so you may think he is weighted to turn the form around here. But the fact that Wichita Lineman won with plenty in hand that day suggests he will need to improve once again to reverse placings. Le Beau Bai can pick up minor place prize money here and has shown his ability to win races after his success at Uttoxeter last time out but this is a big step up in grade so he will struggle to win. So for the winner we return to Wichita Lineman.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 15-8 (11-7) Held up behind leading pair, nudged along after 13th, went 2nd after 4 out, switched right after 3 out, went left next, switched right again approaching last, shaken up to lead flat, won at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy beating Pancake (11-.
Le Beau Bai (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Went handy 5th, chased leader after 13th, led and mistake 3 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Plein Pouvoir (11-3) by 10l, 9 ran.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Chased leader to 7th, 2nd again 11th until approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 10, 27l behind Pop Ahead (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Elbow Lane (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Led and keen, hit 3rd, headed 9th, ridden 14th, one pace, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Top Dawn (9-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
West End Rocker (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Tracked leaders, reminder after 9th, close 3rd when stumbled badly 3 out, soon ridden, held from next, challenged for 2nd run in but no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Ballyfitz (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov.
