This is not an easy race to work out but preference is for ALWAYS RIGHT ahead of Almost Blue and Golden Oak. The market should help here with some northern shrewdies around, however, Always Right may be the class act in the race. He has experience of winning in Scotland before and he was well-fancied for this race and in front when falling 12 months ago. He then wasn't disgraced in the Foxhunters' Chase at Cheltenham and with a win under his belt between the flags since he is hard to oppose. Almost Blue is another with winning form north of the border and although a recent point-to-point run didn't go to plan (pulled-up), he should be ready to play a hand here. Kanjar D'Allier was formerly high class but he too is another who was pulled-up between the flags recently and at the age of 12 he needs to prove that the zest for racing is still there. Itzacliche tries blinkers for the first time for Joe Richards this afternoon, whilst Golden Oak comes here in better form and a series of consistent point-to-point runs puts him firmly in the mix. Run For Moor was not un-fancied for a recent Musselburgh outing but he fell before the race had started to hot up and it will be interesting to see how his confidence is. Course winners Another Rum, Encore Cadoudal and Trisons Star cannot be discounted, however, the nod goes to Always Right.
Itzacliche (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) In tch til wknd aft 15, 8th of 12, 40l behind Robin De Sherwood (11-0) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Kandjar d'Allier (FR) 5-1 (12-5) Led to 15; wknd qckly app nxt; pu 2 out, in a race won by Briscoe Place (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd, 10 ran.
Almost Blue (IRE) 9-1 (12-5) A bhnd; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Briscoe Place (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd, 10 ran.
Always Right (IRE) 2-5 (13-1) In tch; qcknd to ld 3 out; held on up flat, won at Mordon 3m 5f ptp gd in May beating Allborn Lad (12-0) by 4l, 9 ran.
Golden Oak (IRE) 9-2 (12-5) Ap; went 2nd aft 3 out; wknd app last, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Briscoe Place (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd.
Trisons Star (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led to 5th, ridden and lost place from 7th, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by General Hardi (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Mar, 8 ran.
Another Rum (IRE) 14-1 (12-5) Hdwy up 15; outpcd aft nxt, 4th of 10, 17l behind Briscoe Place (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd.
Encore Cadoudal (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Chsd ldrs til wknd 3 out; pu last, in a race won by Lutin Du Moulin (11-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gs, 15 ran.
Jacksonville (FR) 14-1 (12-5) (cp) prom to 12, 5th of 9, 27l behind Sonevafushi (12-5) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gs.
Run For Moor (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) With leader, led 3rd, fell 8th, in a race won by Belem Ranger (12-1) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd, 8 ran.
