TASTES LIKE MORE is the form pick to land the opener at the expense of Petroupetrov and Gallileo Figaro. The selection is eleven pounds higher since winning at Hereford earlier in the month but is still improving with experience. The stable are having plenty of winners of late and as long as he can recapture his recent form he will take all the beating. Petroupetrov caught the eye with a fair effort when second to Burgess Hill at Plumpton last time out. He has the form to run another solid race but he does have to give weight all round which will make life tough. Gallileo Figaro is more exposed than most but was a fair handicapper on the level. He has run some decent races without winning over hurdles but ran below par at Catterick last time out so should be treated with caution. So for the winner we return to Tastes Like More.
Petroupetrov (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, ridden and held before last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Burgess Hill (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
The Hudnalls (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon ridden, weakened and blundered 2 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Hearty Dove (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Tastes Like More (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) In touch, led 11th, clear after 2 out, easy, won at Hereford 3m 2f sll hdl (5) gs beating Rajam (11-4) by 13l, 10 ran.
Devil's Creek (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, hampered 5th, never near leaders, 7th of 21, 26l behind Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Arctic Shadow 25-1 (10-3) fell in race won by Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft, 18 ran.
Tootsie Too 16-1 (10-4) Led until 6th, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 28l behind Busker Royal (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Gallileo Figaro (USA) 11-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 32l behind Festival King (10-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Mey Clouds (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Mid-division when unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Dream Falcon (9-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Acosta 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 15, well behind Heathcliff (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Wide Receiver (IRE) 125-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 14, 40l behind Great Endeavour (11-8) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Prominent, led after 1st, clear 3rd, headed 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 49l behind Coda Agency (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Take Time 66-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced 7th, soon behind, 6th of 10, 45l behind Fabalu (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Shergill (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakening when pulled up 3 out in race won by Black Anshan (11-5) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul, 12 ran.
Festival Flyer 50-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, well behind Bally Conn (10-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
The Pious Prince (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Always in rear, reminders 5th, 4th of 9, 37l behind Willy The Slip (11-12) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov.
Auburn Grey 16-1 (10-0) In 3rd when hampered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Lutin Collonges (10-6) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy, 9 ran.
