None of these inspire confidence but STRONG TEAM finished third over track and trip when last on the Flat and has placed over hurdles since. Collateral form gives him the beating of Sheharz, who was placed at Wolverhampton earlier in the week. Selfish Brian is back on a winning mark and has been in better form at Wolverhampton lately while Vertice and Selecto have won over track and trip in the past.
Selecto 20-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, effort halfway, soon ridden, little response and weakened inside final furlong, 13th of 14, dist behind Hammy End (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Raiff (IRE) 11-4fav (9-9) Mid-division, headway on inside over 3f out, led 2f out, soon edged right, headed over 1f out, edged left and held inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Amourie (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Valley Of Flowers (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pulled hard, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Prince Abu (9-11) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Selfish Brian (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Led 1f, chased leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, no chance with winner weakened and lost two places, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Three Dragons (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Galactic Glow (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Wore hood to post, raced keenly in mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, weakened soon after, 6th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Inexplicable (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Vertice (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Midfield, shaken up over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 5 1/4l behind My Mirage (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Strong Team (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Led, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, chased winner thereafter, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Lucky Lover Boy (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Sheharz 50-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride and pushed along, held up last, headway out wide chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden hung left and went 3rd over 1f out, plugged on, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Victory March (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Robin Goodfellow (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, hit next, tailed off, 4th of 7, 37l behind Jipekaa Machin (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Teescomponentstwo 150-1 (8-10) In rear of midfield, pushed along over 4f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 33 1/4l behind Gordon's Jet (10-2) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
