Borouj has every chance at the weights judged by official BHA ratings but he is hard to back with any confidence judged by recent form and a better bet looks to be HOT ZONE, who gets the vote over Cash Man. Evelyn Slack's gelding has not been in good form over fences of late but may appreciate the return to hurdles and the yard's runners are in good form right now. Mulaazem ran well at Ludlow two starts ago but disappointed at Fontwell last time, while Marlborough Sound has more to do under a penalty for his narrow win at Towcester recently. Aviation has struggled in recent starts over hurdles and a better bet in a poor contest looks to be the Ollie Pears-trained Hot Zone. The six-year-old went close when finding just Irish Whispers too good in a Fontwell claimer when last seen in September and a reproduction of that form may well suffice in this grade.
Aviation 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, reminders 6th, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Marlborough Sound 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway when mistake 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Nov beating Liberty Seeker (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Cash Man (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) In touch, lost place 5th, no danger after, 7th of 8, well behind Wot Way Chief (11-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Borouj (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, progress into 4th 4 out, ridden and weakened from next, 14th of 20, well behind Rebel Run (11-5) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Oct.
Mulaazem 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 6th, hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 32l behind Swift Sailor (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Snow's Ride 14-1 (10-13) Behind, lost place 4th and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Bow School (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov, 13 ran.
Alloro 28-1 (11-7) Led and keen, headed 3 out, tailed off from next, 7th of 11, well behind Titfer (10-7) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Hot Zone (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Prominent, led 3rd, joined when jumped badly right 2 out and last, hard ridden flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Irish Whispers (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in Sept.
Lucozade 20-1 (10-0) In rear, headway 4f out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 7th of 14, 25l behind Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
P'Tit Vouster (FR) 13-2 (10-8) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened quickly approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Nevsky Bridge (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Pennybid (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 39l behind Fred Bojangals (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Sybellius D'artaix (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 13th of 14, 33l behind Longdale (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Abbaleen (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders until lost place from 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Pemberton (10-9) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
