With the yard in decent form RADUIS BLEU is selected on his handicap and chasing debut, with Turbo Shandy and Osolomio put forward as best of the rest. Alan King's charge showed a decent level and form in novice hurdles and its interesting connections have sent him straight over fences for his handicap debut. He's related to plenty of winning chasers and should have the speed for this minimum distance so, in the expectation he's schooled well, he may well beat a modest bunch with something to spare. Turbo Shandy hasn't been seen since unseating behind Orana Conti, but he would've likely beaten that one had he not unshipped his rider so, with a weight turnaround helping further, he's a feasible alternative to our pick with the trip and ground fine. Osolomio is a solid proposition for the grade but surely wants a little further than this, having been pulled up in a cross country chase last time. He's yet to win at this trip over obstacles but will at least be staying on late in the day. Traffic Control was well backed to win a valuable race last time before trailing home a well-held seventh, but whilst he remains well-treated and capable of progress he's another who needs at least two-and-a-half miles to be seen at his best. Sole Agent is at least a specialist at this distance but Gary Moore's charge was rather lifeless last time when he looked to have been found a good opportunity, whilst the trainer's other runner Meneur hasn't been seen since 2008 and can only be watched unless support comes in spades. Orana Conti will benefit from stepping back in trip but she's been very disappointing since that win in December, one which came as a surprise to all, so with doubts about all of his rivals Raduis Bleu gets a confident vote.
Osolomio (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Mistakes, held up in rear when hampered badly, pulled up 15th, in a race won by Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Traffic Control (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, blundered 11th, headway when blundered 13th, weakened and blundered 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Meneur (FR) (10-12) 5th of 16, 14l behind Le Haut Anjou (10-3) at Fontainebleau(FR) 2m 4f 5yo hdl sft in Mar '08.
Raduis Bleu (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Kerada (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Sole Agent (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Chased leader, led 3rd to next, led 7th to 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 5, 30l behind One Cornetto (10-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Orana Conti (FR) 50-1 (11-8) In touch, weakened 7th, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Senor Shane (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Turbo Shandy 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, good headway from 6th, challenging leader when slipped on landing and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Orana Conti (11-3) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
