Tippmanboy's second at Lingfield 10 days ago is the best hurdles form on offer, though Ballybane, Arthur's Gift and Robert's Star are all likely improvers once they gain further experience. DE BENE ESSE makes his debut under Rules but is held in some regard. He ran away with a Bandon point to point in March and the second franked the form a couple of months later; Evan Williams' charge is fancied to come out on top here.
Arthur's Gift (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, tracking leading pair, not fluent 2 out, ridden between last 2, weakened soon after, 5th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Potters Corner (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Ballybane (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Jumped left at times, held up in touch, closed 7th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 9, 33 3/4l behind Fingerontheswitch (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Court King (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, never involved, 9th of 10, dist behind Clondaw Cian (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) sft in Nov.
De Bene Esse (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Ld/disp frm 2nd & jw, 2l adv 6out, chall 3out, 2l adv gng best 2out sn clr, sow, impressive, won at Bandon 3m mdn hvy in Mar beating Murdo Mackenzie (12-2) by 8l, 7 ran.
Driftwood Haze 33-1 (11-12) In rear, weakened before 10th, 8th of 10, dist behind Desertmore View (11-12) at Chepstow 3m (5) gd in Apr.
Robert's Star (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 15, 20 1/2l behind Tapaculo (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Run Bob Run 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 6th, struggling 7th, pulled up before 3 out, at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Tippmanboy (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Pulled hard towards rear, headway to track leaders after 4th, led 5th, strongly challenged after 3 out, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Justanother Muddle (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) sft in Nov.
