No foolproof answer to this tricky puzzle however we'll side with LUXURIX ahead of Space Mission. Recruited from the flat in France where he was able to win a few races, and having switched from Paul Webber to Paul Nicholls, the selection was fairly well-held at Newbury over hurdles but is now switched to fences. He has potential and is sure to have been well-schooled. Knockarron makes his debut under rules and could be interesting under Timmy Murphy who doesn't ride much for the yard. Oscatello was the best of these over hurdles and could be interesting over fences now. The stable are in good form and the horse should come on for his last outing. Space Mission has experience of fences and has bumped into some good horses in Shining Gale, Massini's Maguire and Its A Dream and this looks his easiest task to date. Grand Bleu is interesting but his last run was abhorrent and he needs to bounce back, and a safer option may be Luxurix who gets our vote.
Grand Bleu (IRE) (11-0) Tailed off when pulled up in race won by Arctic Farandol (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 5f ch gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Knockarron (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Held up in tch; hdwy 14; chall app last; r.o wl to ld cl home, won at Parham 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Super Kay (11-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
Luxurix (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Raced wide, in touch, ridden apparoaching 3 out, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 23l behind Helens Vision (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Oscatello (USA) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened and behind when hit 2 out, 10th of 19, 30l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Space Mission (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance from last, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Its A Dream (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
