STRIDENT may be the one to side with in a contest which could change complexion as a few of the runners were due to run at Leicester on Wednesday. The selection has experience of hurdling in this country as he chased home New Alco at Aintree back in 2005 when in the care of James Lambe. He has been in fair form on the level and over fences of late and should be good enough to be competitive here. Thethirdoftheforth is having his first run for new connections since arriving from Ireland and starts off at a realistic level; it will be interesting to see what the market makes of his chances. Kerayasi and Sandy's Legend would have claims if lining up, Brendan Powell's pair enter calculations and blinkers may help Wilkinson put his best foot forwards but we expect Strident to make his mark.
Intensifier (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) In touch until weakened over 3f out, 8th of 12, 17l behind Snowberry Hill (10-6) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol (Flat).
Kerayasi (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 31l behind I'm A Legend (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Follow The Buzz 100-1 (10-5) Pulled hard, soon in touch, ridden and weakened after 5th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Roisin's Prince (10-9) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Sweet World 40-1 (11-4) Held up last, headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 15l behind Wise Men Say (10-7) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Optimus (USA) 40-1 (10-9) In touch, hit 6th, effort after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 26l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-8) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Sandy's Legend (USA) 8-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, went left, led flat, headed final 75 yards, stayed on under pressure to regain lead post, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Mad Professor (10-12) by a ns, 8 ran.
Strategic Plan (FR) 33-1 (11-7) In rear, hampered 3rd, some headway 9th, 5th of 14, 29l behind Pret A Thou (11-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Thethirdoftheforth (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Mid-division, headway in 8th approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 14th of 20, 29l behind Imperial Hills (10-8) at Punchestown 2m nov hcp hdl hvy in Nov.
Hill Cloud 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, raced keenly, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Awesome George (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f hdl (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Wilkinson (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, reminders 5th, ridden 3 out and soon behind, 7th of 9, well behind Tragic Realm (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Adoration 10-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 15, 12l behind Blue Express (10-13) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-109 gs in Aug.
Strident (USA) (11-7) 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Schattenqueen (10-1) at Baden-Baden 2m amt chs sft in Oct.
Giddywell 9-2 (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dream of Olwyn (9-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) hvy in Oct (Flat).
Sur La Valise 200-1 (10-7) Led to after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 12, 37l behind Divali Princess (10-12) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Peaceful Means (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, well behind Delayed Approach (11-0) at Southwell 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Indiana Fox 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, no chance when mistake 3 out, 16th of 18, 49l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
