Verdict

On Raglan Road, Grizebeck and Sphinx are the trio to focus on here, with ON RAGLAN ROAD taken to resume winning ways. You don't get too many 10-year-old hurdling debutants, but Sphinx perhaps would have belied his starting price and won if he had been kept closer to the pace, staying on really well in the closing stages to be a close third. He seemed to enjoy it, and he showed with a Flat win last season that he still has some quality and cannot be ruled out. Prolific Flat winner Grizebeck is another who ran well on his hurdling bow, though he won. He was given a powerful ride from the front that day, therefore it was strange to see him held up in a classier contest next time where he failed to quicken in the closing stages. Given a positive ride, he can play a big part here. On Raglan Road was an expensive Irish import for Graham Wylie, and he has shaped well to date, without quite fulfilling expectations thus far. He finished ahead of Grizebeck last time, he too unsuited by the slow pace, and On Raglan Road has the class to see off his rivals here.

Formwatch

Border Reiver 11-4 (11-5) In touch, hampered 4 out, modest 3rd soon after, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Fabalu (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Good Line (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden 6th, never dangerous after, 9th of 14, well behind Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.

Grizebeck (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, driven and weakened before next, 5th of 7, 24l behind Junior (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.

On Raglan Road (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and hit last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Junior (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.

Ballysimon (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, well behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Carrick Star (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 11th of 21, 48l behind Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.

Echoes of Dawn (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 15, 34l behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.

Flag Hill 150-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 13th of 16, well behind Palm Reader (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.

Lord Denis 20-1 (12-5) Sn wl bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Athoss (12-5) at Corbridge 3m ptp sft in Apr, 10 ran.

Mister Marker (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 41l behind What A Buzz (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.

Soneva Gili (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, reminders after 4th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up in race won by Abstinence (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.

Spare Days 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakening when blundered 2 out, 5th of 11, 24l behind Titfer (10-7) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.

Sphinx (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 2 out, stayed on strongly, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Ockey de Neulliac (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) sft in Nov.

Ethel Briggs 100-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division and keen, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 21 ran.

Oyashshecan (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Jumped left 1st, soon behind, not fluent 3rd, tailed off from 7th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Star Lord (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 11 ran.

Star of Raven 33-1 (9-9) Always behind, struggling from 8th, in rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by More Likely (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f mrs hcp chs (3) hvy in Dec, 6 ran.