Verdict

Three times a winner over fences in France, Javelot d'Or has failed to show any sort of sparkle since joining Venetia Williams and is best passed over, which we do in favour of Dual Star, who is preferred to Bold Hunter. The last mentioned would have claims on his second in a selling handicap hurdle at Towcester in December but has not shown any worthwhile form over the larger obstacles for some time now. Courtledge has been tumbling in the weights as fast as Javelot d'Or, while Shellin Hill does not look good enough, even in this company. The vote then goes to Dual Star, who is more than capable of winning in this grade and has shown signs of a return to form in better company recently. He gets the vote in a desperate contest.