Hard to rule out many here but narrow preference is for Dickie Lewis ahead of Almire Du Lia and Matmata De Tendron. Fairly lightly-raced for a ten-year-old, Donald McCain's gelding has been in fine form of late completing a hat-trick of wins. He has been mixing chasing and hurdling with good effect and he looks sure to go well despite a further rise up the weights. Gunner Royal needs respect despite being just out of the handicap, whilst Almire Du Lia won well last time out at the track and he has a decent strike-rate. Forest Miller continues to find one too good but is creeping down to a fair mark again, whilst Skenfirth is now on an attractive mark after a poor show last time out. Matmata De Tendron stays very well and still ahd every chance when unshipping his rider last time out at Catterick. He is a player despite his big weight, however we prefer the chances of Dickie Lewis.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 12-1 (10-0) In touch when unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Lucky Nellerie (9-12) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Almire du Lia (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Close up, led 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb beating Benbeoch (11-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Forest Miller 15-2 (9-10) Mid-division, headway after 11th, went 4th 15th, effort approaching 4 out, held from 2 out, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Snoopy Loopy (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Dickie Lewis 6-4fav (11-1) Led, blundered 13th, headed 5 out, led again approaching 3 out, left clear 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Feb beating Solemn Vow (10-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Gunner Royal 6-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, reminders 8th, beaten when hampered and unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Star Player (11-5) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Skenfrith 10-3fav (10-0) Led to 7th, chased leader, lost place 13th, beaten when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Master Sebastian (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
