Escort'men is clearly the best of these over hurdles but even the champion trainer would agree that his charge has yet to transfer that ability to the larger obstacles in three runs to date. He is sure to have received extensive Ditcheat schooling and is likely to be the one with a fluent round. However, HES OUR LAD, despite not always looking to put it all in at times in the latter stages of his races, has gone well since going chasing and put up a decent effort when hunting up Alpha Way at Taunton last time. He's the value option here. Stars Du Granits hasn't been seen since falling at Newbury last year and is an interesting chasing recruit for Venetia Williams, whilst Aviso steps up considerably in grade and Tiger O'Toole has yet to get his act together over fences but remains worth keeping an eye on.
Aviso (GER) 6-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, headway after 6th, hit 3 out, challenged last, soon led, edged left flat, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gs in Jan beating Cityar (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Escort'men (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in last pair until approaching 6th, headway next, chased leading pair 4 out, weakened and mistake 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 35l behind Kumbeshwar (10-7) at Hereford 2m nov chs (4) gs in Nov.
Grasscutter (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) In rear, mistake 2nd, behind 6th, mistake 3 out, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Kid Cassidy (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chase (4) gs in Jan.
Hes Our Lad (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 7th, in touch next, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure flat, not reached winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Alpha Way (10-9) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Rye Rocket 5-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened from 5 out, 5th of 9, well behind Qualitee (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Dec.
Stars Du Granits (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Chased leading pair, hit 3rd and next, fell 4 out, in a race won by Empire Levant (11-4) at Newbury 2m con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in touch in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 7th, went 4th after next, mistake 4 out, no impression 3 out, 4th of 5, 16l behind Oldrik (10-12) at Taunton 2m Novice Limited Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
U B Carefull 7-2 (11-4) Held up in last pair, went modest 4th before 4 out, never on terms, 4th of 6, 39l behind Oscar Gogo (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
