A 10lb rise in the weights means that Emma Lavelle's Suntini has a lot more to do than when successful at Lingfield last month and he may struggle to give weight away all round in a race taken to go to PICKAMUS, who gets the vote with Chapel Flowers rated the best of the rest. The selection stepped up on the form shown on his reappearance when a good second behind Zanir at Leicester last month and he has solid claims off just a 2lb higher mark today on a softer surface that will suit. Nautical Approach remains a maiden and did disappoint last time but the softer ground will help. Tom George's Blossom King has shown improved form of late, including on his chasing debut last time, and he has to be respected racing off the same mark today. Call Me a Legend has to be considered with Alan King back among the winners but his recent form is below what will be needed today and a better bet looks to be Chapel Flowers. Tim Vaughan's gelding has been running consistently well of late and has suffered at the hands of the handicapper as a result but he should be thereabouts again. Pickamus has plenty going for him though and Henry Daly's gelding looks the one to be on.
Suntini (GER) 3-1 (11-12) In touch in 5th, headway to 3rd 4 out, 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, driven to draw clear flat, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Babe Heffron (11-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Ajzal (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Always in rear, jumped slowly 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Rivaliste (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Call Me A Legend 11-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, blundered last, 6th of 12, 7l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-4) at Newbury 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov.
Pickamus (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged next, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Zanir (11-5) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Plein Pouvoir (FR) 9-2fav (11-12) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 4 out, 8th of 11, 46l behind Knighton Combe (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Chapel Flowers (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, chased winner after 4 out, every chance 2 out, fluent last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Double Mead (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Blossom King (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Led, ridden 2 out, pressed approaching last, headed soon after, driven and kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Orana Conti (11-3) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Nautical Approach (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden and weakened 5th, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Viable (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
