Tarotino and Our Jasper both have to be respected in this company but may well struggle under their penalties and preference is for Giveusaclue, who is taken to open his account over timber. The selection showed fair form in bumpers and made a pleasing debut over hurdles when finding just Beau Michel too good at Exeter when last seen in October. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding will have been well schooled since then and would not need to improve much to win this. Camden George has run well in both starts over hurdles but is not certain to appreciate the drop back in trip, while stablemate You Bet lacks a previous run and is probably best watched. Tarotino was good value for his win at Wincanton last month and makes more appeal than Don McCain's Our Jasper, who has a double penalty to carry. Giveusaclue has plenty in his favour though and he gets the vote.
Our Jasper 13-2 (10-3) In touch, led 6th, all out, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Thunder Rock (10-8) by a nk, 13 ran.
Tarotino (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, chased leader 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Otto des Pictons (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Brilliant Cut 33-1 (11-0) Raced in mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 18, well behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Camden George (IRE) 6-4fav (10-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, every chance when mistake 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Major Oak (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Cracboumwiz (FR) 9-2jt-fav (10-9) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, left in lead 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, 3rd of 17, 15l behind Huckster (11-0) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Dec '05.
Giveusaclue (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led after 5th, jumped slightly left from 3 out, headed 2 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Beau Michel (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Golden Oak (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Soon in touch, weakened after 4th, 5th of 15, 29l behind Khasab (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
You Bet (IRE) Riberetto gelding, brother to winning hurdler Bisley, half-brother to 1m-1m2f & hurdles winner Alshou.
