Verdict

Bold Ransom, Nine de Sivola and Hockenheim are the trio to look at here, with Bold Ransom the selection. After chasing home prolific winner Companero, Nine de Sivola was beaten when made favourite next time, looking one paced in the closing stages. Well backed into favouritism on his latest start in a better contest at Sandown, he ran woefully and was pulled up, jockey Graeme Lee reporting that he was 'never travelling'. He looks worth taking on. Hockenheim won successive races over timber two seasons ago, but had disappointed before chasing home a useful type last time. That was an improved effort and he is respected. A course and distance winner over hurdles, Bold Ransom ran a blinder on his chasing bow, beaten into third, just over three lengths behind a previous winner. That was over an inadequate two and a half miles, and having chatted to the trainer about him, it is clear he rates him highly, and BOLD RANSOM is taken to get off the mark over the bigger obstacles.

Formwatch

Baron Breeze (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, left lead 6 out, headed 4 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, kept on one pace from before straight, 5th of 20, well behind Weapon's Amnesty (11-12) at Gowran Park 3m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.

Bold Ransom (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Close up, led after 3rd, headed last, one pace and lost 2nd last 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.

High Bird Humphrey 5-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 8l behind Hernando's Boy (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.

Hockenheim (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed when blundered last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Tot O'Whiskey (10-12) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Oct.

Mat Hill (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, hit 11th, headway approaching 4 out, no impression when fell 5 out in race won by According To Pete (11-10) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.

Minus Three (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened 5f out, 11th of 19, well behind Dont Panic (11-4) at Down Royal 2m nhf sft in Dec.

Nine De Sivola (FR) 4-1fav (11-4) Mistake 2nd, in rear, ridden and hit 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec, 16 ran.

The Artful Fox 50-1 (10-11) In rear, went poor 3rd at the 6th, struggling halfway, tailed off, 3rd of 7, well behind Belon Gale (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Dec.

Rowdy Rampage (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 7th of 9, 40l behind Meridian City (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.

Apsara 100-1 (10-7) Held up, weakened from 9th, 8th of 12, well behind North Island (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gs in Dec.

Hickory Lane 11-2 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 22l behind Bewery Man (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.