Refinement will be a warm order to land the five timer and is fully expected to land the odds, Smart Boy Prince and Historic Place look to be the main rivals. Jonjo O'Neill's mare has taken well to hurdling and made it four on the bounce with a comfortable victory over Pirate Flagship at Wincanton last time. In what is a race of similar class, she is expected to keep her seasonal unbeaten record. Smart Boy Prince ran very flat at Fakenham last time but had previously beaten some decent enough handicappers at Market Rasen. He has a chance on official ratings and looks the main threat to the selection. Historic Place has been a decent enough performer on the flat and gets in here on a very tempting weight, he could be each-way value. Huckster is from a yard in hot form and may do best of the rest, but it is hard to get away from the chances of Refinement and this gets our confident vote.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led, ridden 4 out, headed next, soon weakened, last of 9, 44l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Huckster (ZIM) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway to lead approaching 3 out, driven clear after next, ridden flat, held on towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (D) gs beating Fuel Cell (11-0) by 1l, 17 ran.
Refinement (IRE) 4-9fav (11-3) Made all, quickened on bit approaching 2 out, jumped left 2 out and soon ridden, pushed clear from last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (C) gd in Nov beating Pirate Flagship (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Hambaphambili 22-1 (11-0) Behind from 5th, 8th of 13, well behind Pedros Brief (11-0) at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs.
Historic Place (USA) 10-1 (10-7) With leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 15, 6l behind Diamond Sal (10-6) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr '04.
Stoop To Conquer 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, soon led, hit 4th, blundered 6th, headed after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Nippy Des Mottes (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Fair View (GER) Dashing Blade filly, half-sister to useful hurdler Fair Along.
Silver Bow 40-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 35l behind Vertical Bloom (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (D) gd.
