Point-to-point winner Ready Or Not has disappointed in both starts under rules and is probably best left out of calculations in a race that looks a virtual match between BESCOT SPRINGS and Cut The Lugsreilly, with preference for the former. The selection ran well when finding just one too good on his only start in a bumper in what looked a decent race at Haydock in November before unseating his rider early on first time out over hurdles at Uttoxeter last month. Philip Hobbs has his team in great form right now and the four-year-old looks worth siding with to open his account today. Bob Buckler's Ethiopia has given little sign of encouragement so far and of more interest may be another Hobbs runner Quiet Bob, who showed promise first time out in a bumper and is surely better than he showed over hurdles here last month. Tarbeck was well beaten on his hurdling debut here last month, while Bell Hill Lad has shown little so far over timber and is hard to recommend. Cut The Lugsreilly showed a decent level of form in two starts in bumpers for Paul Nicholls, latterly behind Solway Sam in a good race at Aintree, but lack of hurdling experience is of some concern and a safer option looks to be Bescot Springs.
Bell Hill Lad 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Valentine Vic (10-12) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, badly hampered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Predictive (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Cut The Lugsreilly 4-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4f out, effort and every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, no extra final furlong, 5th of 17, 8l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Ethiopia 50-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Silver Kate (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Max's Choice (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) (tt) led to 3; wknd 13; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Major Matt (12-0) at Stafford Cross 3m ptp gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Ninogaro (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Always in rear, ridden and struggling final 7f, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Slate Gem (10-8) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gf in May.
Quiet Bob (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracking leaders after 1st, 15th approaching 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Ready Or Not (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked clear leader, lost place before 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Quartano (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov, 4 ran.
Tarbeck 20-1 (10-12) Tracking leaders after 1st, 13th approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
