Alfred The Great faces no easy task giving weight away all round but Pat Haslam's gelding has done nothing wrong and is taken to make it three on the bounce with Milan Deux Mille and Shamayoun rated the main dangers. The selection was unexposed on the level and remains open to further improvement over hurdles but has shown a really willing attitude in both of his races over timber so far and is taken to defy his double penalty on ground that should actually suit better than the softer surfaces that he has been racing on so far. Sandysnowing obviously represents top connections but has given little sign of encouragement so far, while Rightful Ruler disappointed on his hurdling debut and may now be best watched. Martin Pipe's bumper winner Milan Deux Mille has to be respected first time out over hurdles along with Charlie Egerton's French import Shamayoun, who is probably better than he showed at Folkestone recently. Alfred The Great sets a decent standard though and he looks to be the one they all have to beat.
Alfred The Great (IRE) 5-2co-fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway when left in lead 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Jan beating Lysander (11-5) by 5l, 15 ran.
Cabopino Lad (USA) 50-1 (10-9) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden and weakened next, 11th of 15, well behind No Commission (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov sll hdl (5) gd in Jan.
Countrywide Sun 10-1 (9-9) In touch, weakened and tailed off from 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Euro American (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Imlaak 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 12th of 18, well behind Regal Heights (10-13) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Pulled hard, led after 2f, hung left from over 2f out, veered badly left inside final furlong, driven out, won at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (H) sft in Dec beating Over The Flow (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ophistrolie (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Towards rear, outpaced halfway, no impression, 4th of 13, 44l behind Gardasee (11-0) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (F) gs in Nov.
Shamayoun (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Held up, chased leading trio from 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 13, well behind Dear Villez (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Singhalongtasveer 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, hit 3rd, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Patxaran (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Minnesinger 12-1 (10-3) Mid-division, hit 2nd, lost place and towards rear 6th, ridden and lost touch from 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Reem Two (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Olmetta (FR) 50-1 (10-4) Towards rear, outpaced when mistake 4 out, 9th of 17, 19l behind Woodford Consult (10-4) at Newcastle 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Turtle Bay 100-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, hit 6th, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 40l behind Calfraz (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Rightful Ruler 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost place and behind 5th, soon beaten, 8th of 15, 43l behind Masafi (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Sandysnowing (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, beaten when hit next, 8th of 14, 36l behind Shiny Thing (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
