Take The Breeze was just denied over C&D on his return to action but has been raised 6lb by the handicapper for that effort. Carole's Legacy is an obvious candidate as she has a much higher rating over hurdles. A winner of three of her four starts over the larger obstacles, the mare will be thereabouts if her jumping stands up to the test against these seasoned handicappers. Stablemate Wogan was in good form at the back end of last season and made a satisfactory reappearance at Haydock, while Pickamus is worth another try at the longer trip. Buffalo Bob won at Newbury last month but more interesting is JUNIOR, who has really got his act together over the last 12 months and made a very pleasing return behind Midnight Chase at Cheltenham and is sure to strip fitter here.
Take The Breeze (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Settled in mid-division, headway 4 out, soon tracking leaders, effort approaching 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Massini's Maguire (11-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Panjo Bere (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Led 2nd until narrowly headed 5th, chased leader until 10th, struggling 12th, left poor 4th 3 out, went 3rd post, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Master Minded (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Eric's Charm (FR) 66-1 (11-9) Went right at some fences, held up towards rear, struggling 14th, tailed off, 9th of 17, well behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Edgbriar (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 11th, ridden 13th, weakened after 3 out, behind when hampered next, 8th of 18, 34l behind Little Josh (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Raced in rear, mistake 4th, detatched approaching 12th, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Little Josh (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Razor Royale (IRE) 40-1 (9-11) Behind, tailed off and struggling when blundered 4 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Diamond Harry (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Carole's Legacy 13-8 (10-12) Tracked leader until not fluent 3 out, ridden and chased leader again approaching 2 out, driven to lead flat, kept on well, won at Kempton 3m mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Nov beating Banjaxed Girl (11-2) by 1l, 6 ran.
The Sliotar (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 13th, headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Burton Port (11-8) at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Pickamus (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Chased leader 2nd, led after 7th until 9th, led again after 3 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out,, 5th of 8, 26l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Theatrical Moment (USA) 8-1 (11-11) Always in rear, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Rustarix (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) With leader, led 5th to before 8th, led again next, hard pressed from 4 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, held on towards finish, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating Sound Stage (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Junior 12-1 (10-11) Led until after 4th, always prominent, chased winner from 12th, ridden before 3 out, no impression from 2 out, weakened to 3rd flat, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Wogan 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, driven and lost place after 5 out, ridden next, kept on under pressure from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 15l behind King Fontaine (11-1) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Fit To Drive 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden to lead approaching last, soon clear, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Sarahs Gift (10-12) by 10l, 10 ran.
Dashing George (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) In touch, mistake 5th, chased winner 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, lost 2nd last, kept on same pace flat, 7th of 16, 13l behind Frankie Figg (11-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Minella Four Star (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Led, blundered 6th, headed 8th, led 12th, ridden after 3 out, 4th of 18, 3l behind Ouzbeck (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gf in Jun.
Checkerboard (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3rd to 6th, with leader, outpaced when hit 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 9, well behind Award Winner (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
