Geeveem is the selection, with Hollywood, Corrib Eclipse, Lord Atterbury and Super Lord all expected to figure somewhere. Irish point-to-point winner Geeveem displayed abundant stamina when scoring on his British debut at Wincanton in January, so this extra two furlongs will present no difficulty to the Paul Nichols recruit. His dam is related to D'Argent and Geeveem could himself be useful in time. He can prove too strong for Hollywood who was also successful at Wincanton on what was her belated return to action at the start of the month. That was a pleasing first outing over timber, but it was a mares' only affair so we should not get too carried away. Corrib Eclipse finished 10th in the 2004 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham but has been mixing it with top company on the level over the past two years. Second in a conditions race at Pontefract in September, he is a classy sort, and trainer Ian Williams is using this as a prep for a crack at the three-mile novices' hurdle at this year's Festival. Lord Atterbury's confidence seems to have gone so this spin over timber may help, while Super Lord also returns to the smaller obstacles after being pulled up behind Bob Bob Bobbin at Chepstow in January. An interesting contest can go to Geeveem.
Geeveem (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Hobbs Hill (11-6) by 9l, 14 ran.
Super Lord (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Held up and keen, headway 11th, mistake 13th, ridden 16th, weakened 17th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bob Bob Bobbin (11-5) at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Corrib Eclipse 66-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 6f, stayed on from over 1f out, never near leaders, 10th of 24, 21l behind Total Enjoyment (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar '04.
Grande Creole (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up, blundered 2nd, mistake 9th, soon behind pulled up 5 out in race won by Dolmur (11-10) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Dec, 7 ran.
Lord Atterbury (IRE) 15-8fav (10-7) Close up, hit 4th, ridden after 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Harrycone Lewis (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Monzon (FR) (10-6) pulled up behind Magiful De La Vire (10-8) at Auteuil 2m 4f chs in Nov, 12 ran.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) Oscar gelding out of bumper winner Karenda.
Hollywood 20-1 (11-1) Soon led, headed after 6th,effort 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Ben's Turn (11-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
