NOBLE FUTURE is no more than a tentative selection ahead of Power Pack Jack and Grand Bay. The market should provide a useful indication to the chances of the selection as several of the yard's horses have been below par following the break in racing. Noble Future has generally been disappointing but has shown ability on occasion over hurdles and could conceivably improve for the switch to chasing. Power Pack Jack didn't jump at all well before coming to grief on his second outing over fences on Boxing Day but the yard have had a winner recently and he may prove capable of better if they've turned the corner. Grand Bay didn't shine on a couple of starts over fences in Ireland in 2007 but comes into the race on the back of a couple of fair runs over hurdles and may fare better this time around. Early Wings has ability but has proved hard to win with whilst It's A Discovery fell on her one run over the larger obstacles and a bigger threat may come from Local Present who did enough on his chase bow to think that he can win in this sphere but preference is for Noble Future.
Tokpela (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) In rear, tailed off 7th, 6th and no chance when hampered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Ultimate Limit (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Putney Bridge 20-1 (10-1) Behind, struggling 10th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
It's A Discovery (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 3rd, headed 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 27l behind Iconoclast (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Grand Bay (USA) 3-1fav (11-10) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and effort on inside between last 2, one pace approaching last, 4th of 18, 14l behind King Stanley (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Power Pack Jack (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Behind, reminders 7th, blundered badly and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Lord Appellare (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Noble Future 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 24l behind Mix N Match (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Local Present (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along after 10th, weakened on long run to 2 out, 5th of 12, 18l behind Ere Alfie (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Early Wings (GER) 7-2fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 8th, 5th of 10, 20l behind Orana Conti (11-3) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Springtree (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Behind, ridden and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Noun De La Thinte (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Heezagrey (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 18, 32l behind Captain Smoothy (10-3) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
