Verdict

Glenduff looks nicely in and a long absence wouldn't be a problem as he won first time back last winter. HEARTBREAK KID won a novices' hurdle by 12 lengths here and made an excellent chasing debut at Carlisle behind Cheddleton, who followed up at Haydock. That looks good enough for this though Donald McCain also has Gaelik Coast entered though he was a long way behind his stable companion at Haydock. Baron De Midleton's form figures flatter him as he was 10 lengths last of two at Wetherby while it's a long time since Rathhill won over hurdles for Nicky Henderson.

Formwatch

Rathhill (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Rear-division, behind and struggling before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Heartbreak Kid (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, relegated towards rear 6th, headway to chase leader 4 out, ridden after 3 out, closed gap on leader before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 9 1/2l behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Carlisle 2m (3) sft in Nov.

Gaelik Coast (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, dropped towards rear 4th, in rear 6th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, last of 5, 12 3/4l behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Haydock 2m (3) hvy in Dec.

Baron De Midleton (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Prominent, progress to press leader over 3f out, ridden and drifted to near rail over 2f out, close up under strong pressure entering final furlong, weakened close home, 4th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Burbank (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.

Glenduff (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leaders, disputing 2nd going well and every chance 3 out, 3rd and one pace from next, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind The Macon Lugnatic (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar.