Little Josh won well for Nigel Twiston-Davies when successful at Kelso last month having fallen at Cheltenham previously but he faces no easy task here against DAVE'S DREAM, who created a favourable impression when making a winning start over fences at Huntingdon and he can win again with the main danger rated as Seven Is My Number. David Pipe's gelding has shown progressive form over fences this season with wins at Worcester, Stratford, Bangor and latterly at Sandown when comfortably beating Kicks For Free and he has to be respected but may struggle to give 2lbs to the selection. Take The Breeze won well in the fog at Exeter for Paul Nicholls earlier this month and makes more appeal than Mark Gillard's Orana Conti, who looks to be out of her depth. The vote though goes the way of Nicky Henderson's Dave's Dream, who was useful over hurdles but looked one to keep on the right side of after an impressive debut success over fences when comfortably taking a novices' chase at Huntingdon last month on his reappearance and he can win again.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 9-4 (10-13) Held up in 4th, always travelling well, chased leader halfway, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, impressive (no time taken), won at Sandown 3m listed ch (1) sft beating Kicks For Free (11-5) by 7l, 4 ran.
Take The Breeze (FR) 9-4 (11-5) (limited comments due to very poor visibility) disputing lead after 4th, 3rd approaching 10th, in lead last, driven out (no time taken), won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) hvy beating Bensalem (11-5) by 2l, 5 ran.
Dave's Dream (IRE) 8-15fav (11-0) Held up in 3rd, challenged 3 out, soon pushed along, not fluent 2 out, soon led, edged right after last, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov beating My Moment (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Little Josh (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Made all, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Drever Route (11-0) by 9l, 4 ran.
Orana Conti (FR) 50-1 (11-3) Keen, always prominent, ridden to press leader approaching last, led soon after, driven out, won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Blossom King (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
