Safe Investment has won twice over hurdles but it's a little worrying that he's had 18 starts over fences without managing to get his head in front. By comparison, this is SPOT THE BALL's first experience of the larger obstacles. He ran his best race over timber on his latest outing at Uttoxeter in September, however, so gets the vote. Ifolnyalfie has shown little under Rules so far and Monsieur Georges hasn't raced since pulling up at Southwell in April, though did beat Ilongue on 6lb better terms at Plumpton earlier.
Safe Investment (USA) 7-2 (10-6) Held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, 26l behind Lost Glory (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Ifonlyalfie 25-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, with leader, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, 26l behind Hawk Mountain (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Spot The Ball (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, challenged 2 out (normal 3 out), carried right bypassing normal 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace final 100 yards, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Rannoch Moor (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
Monsieur Georges (FR) 7-2fav (11-2) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 3rd and 10th, soon ridden and lost place, behind 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Apache Brave (10-1) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Ilongue (FR) 5-1 (9-11) Prominent early, tracked leaders, hit 9th, struggling before 3 out, well held from 2 out, 5th of 7, 21l behind Crack At Dawn (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
