Petie McSweetie looks up against it on today's terms but the remainder all have a chance of some sort on previous form. OSCAR HILL is the safest option as he bids for a hat-trick having won a couple of plating hurdles last month. Cool Touch would figure if reproducing his best efforts over fences and Pure Faith's fifth in the Melling Chase at Aintree back in April is good form in the context of this race. Spear Thistle is another winning chaser back over the smaller obstacles while Dune Shine and Ockey De Neulliac are recent winners of selling hurdles and not easily dismissed.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) 13-8fav (10-11) In rear and in touch, went 3rd before 5th, kept on same pace and no impression, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Makhzoon (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Oscar Hill (IRE) 8-11fav (11-8) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2 out, led last, driven and all out, won at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Take Of Shoc's (10-2) by 7l, 9 ran.
Dune Shine 5-2fav (11-5) Led, headed before 2nd, tracked leaders, led before 3 out, blundered 2 out, clear before last, kept on and driven out, won at Stratford 2m 3f cnd/am sll hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Trendelenburg (11-9) by 4l, 8 ran.
Pure Faith (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) In touch, pushed along after 6th, soon lost place, tailed off, 14th of 21, well behind Buck Magic (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Cool Touch (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led when mistake 2nd, headed and mistake next, ridden and lost place after 7th, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Mentalist (10-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Petie Mcsweetie (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) In rear, ridden and headway 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, 4th of 11, 17l behind Me Fein (10-1) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Spear Thistle 3-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, led again after 2 out, headed before last, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Makhzoon (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) sft in Nov.
