NO DEAL won a Carlisle bumper by six lengths last month on his first start for Lucinda Russell. A points winner in Ireland, the switch to hurdles should suit and he looks the one to be on here. Native Court is also a winner between the flags but is more exposed than the selection while The Shrimp, yet another successful in the point-to-point arena, was tailed off on his debut under Rules at Kelso. Talkin Sence hasn't raced since May but is still preferred to Stop On of the others.
Native Court (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Mid div, rdn on terms 2out, up in 4th & mstk last, rallied to ld close home, won at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov beating Take It Too (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
No Deal (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on well towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov beating Cloud Creeper (11-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Stop On 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders in 4th, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 14, 22l behind Caught In The Act (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Oct.
Talkin Sence (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 21l behind What A Steel (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
The Shrimp (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, reminders and lost place after 6th, behind from next, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Maggio (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
