Ones to consider are My Way de Solzen, Ambobo, No Refuge, Patriarch Express and Mighty Man, with our choice being No Refuge. Much as Howard Johnson's runners have been a little bit in and out of late, the stable is still having winners and last season's Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle winner, and this season's Ascot Hurdle victor, No Refuge, looks a leading player today. The French raider Ambobo is useful and is closely weighted with Brewster based on course and distance form of a year ago. He races in a first-time tongue-tie today and both hold chances. Judged on his win last time in the Long Walk Hurdle, My Way de Solzen looks an improved performer and we will find out more about Alan King's runner today, but he is respected. Starzaan has 17 lengths to find based on that form, although he ran well there following a 613-day break, and Mistanoora was last to finish in that race. Although he has not raced since last February, Patriarch Express would hold solid claims based on his win in this race last season, and the lightly-raced The Mighty Man has also to be considered based on his second to The French Furze in a class 2 event here last time. Westender has 13 lengths to find based on that form. It was no disgrace for Mistanoora to fail to give a lot of weight to The Dark Lord here two runs ago and we do not rule out a good run from him today, while there is not too much to choose between Fire Dragon and Attorney General based on recent course and distance form and, although both are likeable, they have a few pounds to find on some of those higher-rated horses run to their best. That said, that comment does not apply in relation to No Refuge, who is nominated for this race.
Ambobo (USA) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs beating Brewster (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec beating Neptune Collonges (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
No Refuge (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Not fluent, disputed 3rd, headway 7th, ridden before 3 out, chased leader next, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Windsor 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov beating Blue Canyon (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Patriarch Express 11-4 (11-12) Chased clear leaders, led 3 out, headed before next, weakened quickly 2 out, 4th of 5, 40l behind Crystal d'Ainay (11-12) at Kempton 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb.
Brewster (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 8, 33l behind My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Mighty Man (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up, headway 7th, chased winner after 3 out, well down 2 out, ridden, hung left approaching last, stayed on flat, always held, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind The French Furze (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
Westender (FR) 6-1 (11-8) In touch in chasing group, pushed along after 5th, lost place next, headway approaching 2 out, no further progress, 4th of 8, 14l behind The French Furze (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
Attorney General (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs beating Stormez (11-8) by 10l, 14 ran.
Fire Dragon (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) In touch, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed approaching last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Pretty Star (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gd in Dec.
Hasty Prince 12-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 9th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 15, 11l behind Nine De Sivola (9-7) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft.
Mistanoora 28-1 (11-7) With leader until after 8th, ridden and weakened next, 7th of 8, 36l behind My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Starzaan (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Keen in rear, headway on 4 out, jumped right 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 8, 17l behind My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
