This is definitely a two-horse race on paper, the duo being Just Murphy and Brother Joe, with Mr McDuff expected to fill the other place. Philip Hobbs seldom wastes his trips to Worcester and in Brother Joe he has a high-class recruit to fencing. The nine-year-old has taken on top company in staying hurdles during his career, and was eighth to Baracouda at the Cheltenham Festival. He tried to match strides with Kerrigand on his chase debut here three weeks ago and was a spent force four out. The drop back in trip will suit, despite his propensity for longer distances over timber, and he should open his account at the expense of Just Murphy who was not as good over hurdles but who made a winning start over fences at Kelso. He carried his head high on that occasion and has to shoulder a penalty, two facts that make him second best to Brother Joe. Mr McDuff is inferior to both but better than the rest so is an obvious candidate for third.
