Haunted House was held when falling last time out so we will side with Ian Williams' Nimby Run, with Charlie's Double and Nabir heading the shortlist. The selection was no great shakes over hurdles in Ireland, however he has improved over fences and looks to be on a feasible mark. His second reads fairly well in the context of this race, and despite being out of the handicap today he looks to hold solid claims. His trainer has a 50% record with his chasers here and so the 9-year-old gelding gets the tentative vote. Nabir looks to be on a stiff-enough mark now, however he is consistent enough so has place claims, as does Charlie's Double who takes a big drop in class after being tonked in Grade Two contests. This looks much more his level and he is of interest given his trainer's good form. Rowdie Yeats makes his chase debut today and would be of interest if the money came for him, however we will tentatively return to Nimby Run as our idea of the winner.
Haunted House 8-1 (11-1) Held up, mistake 10th, headway to take 2nd soon after, 15 lengths down and weakening when fell at the last in race won by Lucifer Bleu (10-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 14th of 16, 49l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Wenger (FR) 5-1 (10-13) Raced wide, held up, struggling when jumped right 9th, soon tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Brendar (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
The Hero Sullivan (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 40l behind Major Oak (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Nabir (FR) 5-1 (10-0) Disputing 4th when fell at the 4th in race won by Mr Prickle (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Charlies Double 100-1 (11-4) Keen hold, bumped rival 1st, outpaced 5th, blundered 9th, tailed off 4 out, 4th of 5, well behind Fair Along (10-13) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Rowdy Yeats (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 8th of 12, well behind Basic Fact (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Norseman Cateline (FR) 10-1 (11-5) In touch, not fluent 2nd, in rear from 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Milton Des Bieffes (11-6) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Nimby Run (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) In touch, chased leader after 5th, led after 7th, ridden 3 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Ground Breaker (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Ede's 66-1 (10-4) In touch, hit 3rd, ridden 5th, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 47l behind Dark Society (11-0) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jan '05.
