ROMPING HOME may be able to make a winning start to her career for Evan Williams by getting the better of Le Burf and Almaydan amongst others. Evan Williams is also represented by William Butler who ran up a sequence when he first joined the yard. This is an easier task than some he's been set of late and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the market in relation to his stablemate. Romping Home has been off the track for some time but she has run well fresh in the past and showed a decent level of form in her two chase starts in 2008. She'll need to be at her best in order to make a winning return but has the scope to make further progress and could be worth chancing. Le Burf is a capable performer who went close from a 2lb lower mark on his penultimate start; he doesn't have much margin for error from his current perch but it would be no surprise to see him go close at this level. Almaydan has done plenty of winning at this time of year and isn't too badly treated but none of his eight National Hunt successes have come over further than two miles and a furlong which raises a serious question despite some placed form at around this trip. Chaninbar has claims on his return to chasing whilst Babe Heffron will feature on many short-lists following a couple of sound performances. Nudge And Nurdle should run his usual game race and could have a say in the outcome whilst Sharp Rigging is worth keeping an eye on for signs of market confidence but we're going to take a chance with Romping Home in the hope that she's wound up for her return.
Le Burf (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Made most until ridden and headed 4 out, chased leader until before next, dropped to 3rd and well held when blundered 3 out, 4th of 12, 32l behind Fistral Beach (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
William Butler (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in last, hit 5th, lost touch before 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 50l behind Well Chief (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) sft in Nov.
Almaydan 9-1 (11-8) Made most until headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Sa Suffit (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
Chaninbar (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Reluctant to line up, led 2nd, mistake and headed 6th, chased leaders until after 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 13, 21l behind Qozak (11-10) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 10th, left 3rd 14th, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 11, 45l behind Dev (10-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 28l behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Romping Home (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up last, hit 7th, not fluent 8th, went 2nd 11th, took closer order 3 out, ridden and led last, quickened clear flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gs in Nov '08 beating Katess (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Babe Heffron (IRE) 7-2fav (10-10) Led, headed 3 out, regained lead last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Le Roi Rouge (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Its Crucial (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Soon mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 13, 17l behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Prominent going to 1st, held up, headway 4th, went second 6th, not fluent 8th, left in lead approaching 4 out, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, hit last, 4th of 8, 26l behind Noble Crusader (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
