Verdict

Hunters Call, still relatively lightly-raced for a thirteen-year-old, should give his running once again. However, he gives weight to all bar one of his rivals and may find a couple too good. Vision Des Flos has been performing consistently well over fences, so it's interesting to see Joe Tizzard revert to hurdles with him. Freddie Gingell's 7lb claim will obviously help but he hasn't scored over timber since February 2019 and an in-form LOCK'S CORNER is preferred. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has relished the return to hurdling and will be a tough nut to crack if in the same form as when scoring at Ayr and Catterick the last twice despite an 11lb rise for the two wins. Note Espoir De Romay in the market off topweight and Oscars Moonshine would prove dangerous if bouncing back to his best off his current mark.

Formwatch

Espoir De Romay (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway on outside before 7th, blundered next, mistake 11th, eased and pulled up before 12th, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.

Hunters Call (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leader briefly next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 11 3/4l behind Nayati (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.

Bold Plan (IRE) 12-1 (12-1) Held up in last trio, closer at 4th, chased leaders before 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Time Flies By (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Take All (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Towards rear, some headway after 3 out, pushed along entering straight and progress into 7th before last, ridden and kept on one pace, no impression closing stages, 9th of 28, 6 1/4l behind Real Steel (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.

Pileon (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 8th, never a factor, tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Abuffalosoldier (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.

Vision Des Flos (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Towards rear, headway into 4th after 10th, pressed leaders after 4 out, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed under 110 yards out on run-in, no extra, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Foxboro (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Dec.

Lock's Corner (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Gaius (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.

Master Debonair 33-1 (11-13) Raced in 4th, weakened quickly 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Time Flies By (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Tiger Voice (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Off the pace in last trio, never on terms, tailed, 9th of 10, dist behind Hardy Du Seuil (10-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Thibault 25-1 (9-9) Raced wide close up, headway to press winner 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Mukha Magic (10-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.

Oscars Moonshine (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up off the pace in last trio, headway out wide chasing leaders before 3 out, outpaced and hung left after 3 out, weakening when bad mistake 2 out, 6th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Time Flies By (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Fakir (FR) 11-1 (11-13) Mid-division on inside, mistake 6th and dropped towards rear, pulled up after 4 out, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.