On A Promise won a shade cosily over fences here on his return to action but is 5lb higher back over hurdles. General Probus may be a better bet than stablemate Presence Of Mind and is also preferred to Nikgarde at the weights but DOYEN BREED, second at Wetherby and Ayr in the autumn, has a good chance to end a frustrating sequence if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect with his yard back among the winners.
Nikgarde (FR) 28-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, jumped well throughout, ridden and headway before 2 out, briefly challenged leader after last, just outpaced final 110 yards, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Bobhopeornohope (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Presence Of Mind (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and reminders 3 out, never closer, 8th of 10, 21 3/4l behind Chirico Vallis (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
On A Promise (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Held up, headway on outside to lead 4 out, not fluent last, stayed on well, readily holding 2nd towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Stay Humble (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Doyen Breed (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Prominent, chased clear leader 3rd, close up 6th, led narrowly 3 out, headed but still close up 2 out, driven and almost on terms close home, no extra final strides, 2nd of 8, nk behind Calivigny (11-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Ryedale Racer 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, mistake 6th, weakened from 4 out, soon detached, last of 10, dist behind Get Out The Gate (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
General Probus 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, closer and ridden 3 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on after the last, 4th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Mr Washington (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Artic Mann 9-2jfav (11-3) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd approaching 2 out, not fluent 2 out, travelling powerfully when pressed leader at the last, drew clear run-in, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Arnica (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
