Verdict

SONG SUNG BLUE is selected with Otto Quercus and Bushwacker the most likely dangers. Though a maiden over hurdles, he had shown a degree of consistency on soft ground and with the field cutting up badly at the overnight stage; he appears to have been presented with a solid opportunity to score. Otto Quercus was a winner over middle distances on the level and has placed in two starts for Charlie Longsdon. Bushwacker showed plenty of promise in bumpers though has yet to sparkle outside of that form of racing. Wiesenfurst has a lot to do to trouble the principals. Song Sung Blue has to be the percentage call despite a lack of winning form over hurdles.

Formwatch

Bushwacker (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led, headed 8th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pavillon Bleu (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 12 ran.

Song Sung Blue (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Close up, tracked winner 2nd, every chance when not fluent last, hung left flat, no impression, 2nd of 11, 4l behind San Marino (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.

Wiesenfurst (GER) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 4th, never on terms, 6th of 9, 29l behind Dreams Jewel (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.

Otto Quercus (FR) 5-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 5th, soon headed, led again approaching 6th, headed towards finish, no extra, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind I'm A Legend (11-0) at Taunton 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.

She's Humble (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 7th of 10, 34l behind Orana Conti (11-3) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.