Ursis looks the one to beat, with Desert Air and Dancing Bay his only serious rivals. Ursis sets the standard on the merit of his performance at Hereford on what was his chase debut 26-days ago when third to Trouble At Bay. He tried to keep up with the pace set by Genghis that day and not surprisingly ran out of steam, but he will have learnt from the experience, and can follow the likes of Dempsey and L'Aventure who have won this in the past. The Pipe stable won this last year with Tamarinbleu, and have claims as well with Desert Air who was rated 136 over hurdles. He is sure to have been put through his paces at Nicolashayne and can go well along with Dancing Bay, although he will not have as much scope at the age of 10. Ursis has time on his side though, and can pay to follow as the season progresses.
Battlefield 50-1 (11-9) Led and hit 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, headed and hampered 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 17, 27l behind Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Crusoe (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) In rear, mistake 4th and soon pulled up at the 5th in race won by Billy Bray (11-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Dancing Bay 33-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 13th of 30, 20l behind Sky's The Limit (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Desert Air (JPN) 33-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 10th of 20, 16l behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Mange Tout (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) With leader, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, jumped right after, 4th of 9, 25l behind Dictum (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Mapilut du Moulin (FR) 40-1 (10-11) Held up rear, headway approaching 6th to dispute lead, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 10, 46l behind Double Dizzy (11-1) at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Supreme Leisure (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up, behind when fell at the 2nd in race won by Inch Pride (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Ursis (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Jumped right, tracked leader from 2nd, led after 9th, headed 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Trouble At Bay (11-3) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
