Venetia Williams has her horses in brilliant form so Art Professor, who was well beaten on his belated debut over fences at Towcester but has won five times over hurdles, shouldn't be dismissed. Lookslikerainted made a successful debut over fences at Worcester but his jumping has gone to pieces subsequently. He was still in front of The Last Samuri when unseating his rider here in November but jumped right throughout until pulled up at Ffos Las subsequently. KAKI DE LA PREE beat Grand National winner Pineau De Re over hurdles at Carlisle just over a year ago then ran in very much tougher company. He needed his first run over fences and showed the benefit when chasing home Gevrey Chambertin at Newbury, form that should be good enough for this.
Lookslikerainted (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Jumped right, mostly chased leader, blundered 4th, lost 2nd 12th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 15th, struggling in 5th when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Cadeau George (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 1-3fav (11-2) Tracked leader, shaken up 4 out, ridden bend before 2 out, driven and 2 lengths down when left clear last, won at Bangor 3m nov chs (3) sft in Nov, 2 ran.
Art Professor (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along 5th, struggling from 8th, plugged on before last, went 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Horatio Hornblower (10-9) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Kaki De La Pree (FR) 3-1fav (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 9th, chased leaders 13th, 2nd before next, driven before 2 out, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs in Dec.
