Verdict

The ex-French Siberian Highness put a disappointing effort on a soft surface behind him when resuming winning ways at Taunton last month and is taken to follow up here at the main expense of Border Castle and Pablo Du Charmil. The last mentioned was twice a winner over hurdles form two starts in France but found Its A Dream too good on his British debut for Martin Pipe. He should come on for the run but today's faster ground is of concern. Classic Role probably caught a tartar when finding just Straw Bear too good at Folkestone last time and has to be respected on that evidence along with French import Amour Multiple, who is probably better than he showed last time. James Eustace's Orcadian, a useful performer on the flat, is interesting on his hurdling debut along with another useful ex-flat performer Leo's Luckyman although a bigger threat may come from Border Castle. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding looked on to keep on the right side of when making a winning hurdling debut at Haydock in December but disappointed on his subsequent later that month and he could be of interest having had a break since. Siberian Highness has obvious claims on recent form though and he gets the vote.

Formwatch

Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 7-4 (11-8) Tracked leader, challenged and hit 3 out, led before 2 out, soon headed, beaten before last, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Its A Dream (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.

Amour Multiple (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) In touch, driven and lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by dhtrs Buck Whaley (10-6) & Rayshan (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.

Border Castle 8-11fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, held when mistake last, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Dare Too Dream (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.

Siberian Highness (FR) 11-10fav (11-4) Chased leaders, led on bit 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Dark Parade (11-4) by 11l, 14 ran.

Barjou (NZ) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, pecked 4 out, ridden next and soon weakened, 9th of 10, 48l behind Kalmini (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd in Jan.

Classic Role 14-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 2 out, led briefly flat, headed and outpaced close home, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Straw Bear (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Gimmeabreak (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always behind pulled up 3 out in race won by Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec, 25 ran.

Jimmy Bedney (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, jumped left 5th, headed when hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 41l behind Five Colours (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Ken's Dream 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 14th of 19, well behind Le Duc (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr '03.

Leo's Luckyman (USA) 12-1 (11-4) Always in rear, tailed off from 3 out, last of 5, well behind Nous Voila (11-8) at Haydock 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.

Moon Over Miami (GER) (8-11) 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Freedom (8-7) at Baden-Baden 1m stk gd in Sept (Flat).

Onward To Glory (USA) 11-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 4f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 13, 1l behind Merrymaker (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (E3) pol in Nov '04 (Flat).

Orcadian 8-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Crosspeace (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f lst stk (1) hvy in Nov (Flat).

Penny Park (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 18, 20l behind Ask The Gatherer (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.

Sakenos (POL) 20-1 (11-5) Led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Kalmini (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd in Jan.

Temple Place (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) In touch, effort 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 15, 32l behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Jan.

Vengeance 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, some headway approaching 2 out, no danger, 7th of 16, 18l behind Anticipating (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.

Yenaled 14-1 (8-10) Chased leaders 8f, 12th of 16, 23l behind Countrywide Luck (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan (Flat).

Blaeberry 15-2 (10-12) Behind, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 16, 15l behind Rosecliff (10-7) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.

Charmatic (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Pulled early and held up in mid-division, hit 3rd, weakened 5th, 8th of 11, well behind Desert Secrets (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Ten Pressed Men (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 15l behind Bold Fire (10-6) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.