We can narrow this down to three or four almost immediately and despite some consistent form from Chief Yeoman and Culcabock, they may well have to settle for placed money here behind the selection Unicorn Reward. The Micky Hammond-trained newcomer was the best of these on the level, rated 84 after four successive wins over a mile on a fast surface in the summer. If he can transfer that level of form to his first outing over timber then he should have too much speed for the other 11 runners here, and the booking of Tony Dobbin for such a ride is a major punting plus. Chief Yeoman makes the long trip from Venetia Williams Herefordshire yard to take his chance and he has been running in decent company, both when winning on his hurdling debut at Kempton and also when runner-up at Sandown in a Class B event next time. Well beaten behind Major Speculation at Newbury last time, this drop in class will help and another good run is expected, but conceding 4lb to the selection might just prove beyond him. Of the others, Culcabock also shoulders an extra 4lb after an 11 length defeat of Reno at Ayr in November, but ran out of petrol last time and may have to be content with the frame here behind the selection, Unicorn Reward.
