Insurgent looks the one to be with in this handicap hurdle and he is nominated over Royal Game and Schinken Otto. The selection has been knocking on the door of late and he ran with great credit last time when third behind Friendly Request. This slight drop in trip should not be a problem and he looks to have a really solid chance. Royal Game put in an improved effort when fifth behind Traprain at Perth last time but that was a weak contest and he has more on his plate today. Schinken Otto fell at Perth last time and he returns to hurdles off a very fair mark indeed, so he has to rate as one of the more interesting contenders. Cash Flow ran well last time and could rate as a good each-way bet again here, but Insurgent deserves to get his reward for a string of consistent efforts and he should be hard to beat.
Lockstockandbarrel (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 8, 20l behind Battlecry (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Skiddaw Jones 40-1 (10-2) Tracked clear leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 10th of 12, 18l behind Kristiansand (10-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
Wee Bertie (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Le Briar Soul (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Insurgent (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, kept on, no impression from next, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Friendly Request (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Big Bertha 8-1 (11-3) Keen, in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 13, 10l behind Our Joycey (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Velocissima (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, every chance 3 out, ridden and blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 41l behind Lord Rosskit (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul '06.
Cash Flow 40-1 (10-8) Towards rear, effort approaching 3 out, ridden next, kept on, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Traprain (11-4) at Perth 2m clm hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Mayadeen (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden 5th, outpaced 3 out, kept on flat, 7th of 13, 18l behind Ericas Charm (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept '06.
Kyle of Lochalsh 40-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 8, 20l behind Battlecry (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Kinfayre Boy 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 10th of 15, well behind Freedom Flying (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gf.
Mulligan's Pride (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up behind, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 15, 8l behind Court One (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Legends Lass 16-1 (10-5) Held up, bumped 5th, soon driven and beaten, 6th of 12, 29l behind Hot Zone (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Royal Game 25-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 5th of 11, 26l behind Traprain (11-4) at Perth 2m clm hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division when fell at the 4th in race won by Donovan (10-1) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Sept, 11 ran.
Tin Healy's Pass 10-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Young Smokey (11-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
