prominent, challenged 3 out, led next, headed after last, one pace
held up mid-division, chased leaders after 6th, ridden before 2 out, led after last, no extra and headed last 100 yards
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, one pace
held up mid-division, chased leaders on outer 5th, weakened from last
with leader, left in lead after 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied gamely flat to lead again last 100 yards
chased leaders, quickly weakened from 4 out, tailed off
held up, pushed along after 6th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off from next
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
led and raced keen, saddle slipped and pulled up after 3rd
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, keen and with leaders approaching 5th, blundered and jumped right 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, chased leaders 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, fell 2 out
Larks Lad and Premier Sagas both have solid form claims and remain capable of better still, but our vote goes to FOUR STRONG WINDS. Jonjo O'Neill's is are hitting top gear just at the right time so this six-year-old can be expected to show improved form. He may not need even to do that, as his last-time conqueror has since taken second in Grade Two company which makes our selection most appealing in receipt of weight, whilst the slight step up in trip isn't expected to cause any concern. Premier Sagas is a strapping sort who should jump a fence in time, but he's already shown himself good enough to win a hurdles contest over this trip and sets a fair standard. His form in victory may not equal our pick's form in defeat though and nor might that of Larks Lad, another horse that will surely be seen to better effect over fences in time. He hails from the same yard as the Radium, the horse that beat our selection last time, so the market will tell us whether Nicky Henderson rates this horse anywhere near as capable. Roko Dancer looks the pick of Alan King's runners and could run a big race if putting a below-par effort behind him, whilst Azulada Bay is another with each way claims having got within a length of a promising rival last time. On bumper form Cool Mission is closely matched with Azulada Bay and he could improve now tackling hurdles for the second time, so Donald McCain's charge is more appealing than Aberdale who'll need to improve plenty for the softest ground he's encountered. Quite The Man is another with claims after a solid if ultimately well held opening effort, but the form showed by Four Strong Winds is superior to that of his rivals and he can score.
Larks Lad (IRE) 85-40 (11-11) Held up in touch, went handy 3rd, ridden after 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 6, 11l behind Llama Farmer (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Premier Sagas (FR) 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged when not fluent next and last, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating L'eldorado (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Aberdale (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 18l behind Ranjobaie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs.
Azulada Bay (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, every chance as winner not fluent last, stayed on but held towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Peveril (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Cool Mission (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Not fluent, led until jumped slowly and headed 2nd, with leader, reminder 5th, led again 7th, headed 3 out, ridden and lost place next, left clear 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Milans Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Danny John Boy 50-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened from 7th, 8th of 13, well behind Truckers Hall (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs.
Direct Approach (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened from 6th, 7th of 13, well behind Truckers Hall (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs.
Eros Moon (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakening when hampered 2 out, 10th of 15, well behind Wayward Prince (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Flaming Breeze (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hampered 5th, soon lost place, tried to close on inside approaching 2 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 16l behind Empty Sky (11-9) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Four Strong Winds (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway travelling well approaching 2 out, kept on to challenge winner last, soon hung left, no impression final 150 yards, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Radium (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Midnight Appeal 13-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway into 4th under pressure after 3 out, weakened before next, 6th and no chance when blundered last, 7th of 10, 31l behind Triggerman (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Quite The Man (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway going to 3 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 11l behind La Sarrazine (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Roko Dancer (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, lost place before 6th, last before next, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Peveril (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Woodmore (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace 2 out, 4th of 10, 28l behind Possol (11-4) at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
