Verdict

CALGARY BAY is the pick with Stumped and Otage De Brion the major dangers. Henrietta Knight's stable form has been little to write home about over the last year but the Wantage handler looks to have finally come into a seam of form and Calgary Bay can add to it. Placed in Grade 1 Hurdles, any reproduction of that form in this sphere will make him difficult to beat. Stumped ran a respectable first effort over fences. A winner over hurdles, he might just need a little further to show his best form. Otage De Brion ran in snatches at Fontwell and will need to do better in order to win this event. Haar won a soft ground Kempton hurdle last March but failed to build upon the positive impression given on that occasion. Mohayer fell on debut over the fences but Donald McCain's horses are running well and he would have claims on his fourth in the Totesport Trophy at Newbury last season. Calgary Bay has plenty of positives on this occasion and despite this being a first time out run, his class can see him through.

Formwatch

Calgary Bay (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Prominent, chased winner after 4th, effort under pressure last, no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Planet of Sound (11-6) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Apr.

Mohayer (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division when fell at the 4th in race won by Role On (10-13) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov, 11 ran.

Mon Chevalier (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 7, 14l behind Thistle (10-5) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.

Otage De Brion (FR) 9-4jt-fav (11-0) In rear and jumping not fluent, driven 8th, some progress 10th, plugged on, 4th of 8, 16l behind Heathcote (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.

Rapid Increase (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Not fluent, in touch until 6th, dropped to rear next, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Gauvain (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.

Stumped 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, nk behind Role On (10-13) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.

Haar 10-3fav (11-5) Chased leader to 3rd, remained handy, outpaced after 3 out, hung right approaching last, ran on flat, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Mujamead (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.

Hope Road 40-1 (10-10) Held up in 4th, not fluent 4th, went 3rd approaching 6th, soon no chance with front pair, 3rd of 4, 33l behind Araldur (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (3) sft in Nov.