NELSON DU RONCERAY can take full advantage of a lenient handicap mark over hurdles and score here. Hue who was last seen contesting the John Smith's Hurdle at Wetherby's Charlie Hall meeting is a smart sort on his day while top-weight Culcabock is another to consider. Nelson Du Ronceray relishes testing conditions although returning here from 190 days off the track is hardly ideal against rivals with a fitness edge on him. Hue failed to get the credit he deserved after a fine run in the Cesarewitch where he finished seventh. Ground conditions are a major worry as his winning form is on ground no slower than good to soft. Culcabock looked the likely winner at Kelso last time before weakening in the closing stages and off his current mark he may be vulnerable to lesser exposed sorts. Smugglers Bay has respectable juvenile hurdling form but needs to improve further while Pagan Starprincess was a credit to connections last season. She hasn't seen out the staying trips she was campaigned over on her latest starts and is likely to be suited by dropping back in distance. Nelson Du Ronceray can defy his lengthy absence and make a winning seasonal debut.
Culcabock (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 18, 11l behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Hue 33-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Pettifour (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Nov.
Pagan Starprincess 16-1 (11-10) Held up, weakened from 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lysander (10-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Oct, 18 ran.
Soubriquet (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) In touch when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by European Dream (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up, chased leaders 4th, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 9l behind European Dream (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, one pace, 5th of 18, 14l behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on flat, held on towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) sft in Jun beating Double Vodka (10-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Karathaena (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 16l behind At The Money (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
