Harry Tricker is still undefeated over fences after dead-heating at Huntingdon latest while Cois Farraig caused an upset in a Grade 2 at Newbury last time, though the form of that race looks dubious. This trip looks on the sharp side for staying hurdler Squadron but Hidden Keel and Pearlysteps are open to improvement and Surfing won over fences at Auteuil in May and his trainer has done well with similar types in the past. But we expect BOUGGLER to have learned plenty from his chasing debut at Plumpton. Sam Thomas had to get serious with Emma Lavelle's five-year-old after the last but that was his first start since April and he was arguably the best of these over hurdles.
Cois Farraig 10-1 (11-1) Led until narrowly headed 4th, chased leader until before 7th, left 2nd and slightly hampered 11th, led 12th, driven after 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov beating On Borrowed Wings (11-8) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
West With The Wind 7-1 (11-12) Always prominent, left in lead 9th, hard driven when jumped left 2out, soon strongly challenged, held on gamely, all out, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Aug beating Yellow Flag (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Bouggler 1-2fav (11-2) Held up in touch in 4th, went 3rd approaching 5th, slightly outpaced 3 out, chased leader and about 6 lengths down after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to lead towards finish, held on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Nov beating Have You Seen Me (11-5) by 1l, 5 ran.
Harry Tricker 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, left in lead 6th, headed next, led when jumped slowly 3 out, stumbled 2 out, joined last, soon headed, carried right and being leant on thereafter, just held, finished 2nd, placed 1st, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Harry Tricker (11-7) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Hidden Keel 2-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked sole rival, effort 3 out, ridden to challenge between last 2, every chance when pecked last, led briefly flat, no extra towards finish, last of 2, 1 3/4l behind Tarablaze (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs.
Pearlysteps 4-1 (11-1) Held up, hit 5th, closed 7th, went 2nd 10th, challenged winner 4 out, still every chance when edged right under pressure after last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Golan Way (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Squadron 4-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 9th, outpaced 11th, about 20 lengths in 6th going to 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, took 4th towards finish, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Circus Of Dreams (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in May.
Surfing (FR) (9-13) 5th of 7, 11l behind Soleil De Sivola (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 4f chs Grade 3 (1) sft in Jun.
The Knoxs (IRE) 8-15fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, fell 5th, in a race won by Lord Larsson (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
