Vamizi has raced here five times and has yet to finish out of the first three, reappearing with a second over C&D in October. He should be thereabouts again with Graham Watters taking off 10lb. My Boy Paddy will strip fitter for last month's C&D run while both Lockstown and Dont Tell Sailor would have a chance on their best form. But we'll stick with COOL OPERATOR, even though he's yet to really prove he stays this longer trip. He looked in good order when beating Rigadin De Beauchene over 2m4f at Uttoxeter last time.
Vamizi (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Held up in last pair, close up 10th, chased leading pair before 4 out, ridden before last, rallied to take 2nd flat, not reached winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Rebel Swing (10-13) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Classic Cut 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, close 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Belon Gale (11-12) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov '10, 6 ran.
Cool Operator 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov beating Rigadin De Beauchene (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
My Boy Paddy (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, outpaced 5 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 23l behind Harouet (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Lockstown 7-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, ridden after 13th, soon outpaced, weakened before 2 out, left moderate 4th last, 4th of 7, 37l behind Knockara Beau (11-8) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Dont Tell Sailor (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, outpaced before 3 out, mistake last, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 26l behind San Telm (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Oct.
Cavers Glen 20-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, chased leading pair 13th, went 2nd 3 out, effort next, soon ridden, 3 lengths down in 3rd and one pace when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Knockara Beau (11-8) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Tipsy Dara (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked winner until 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 18l behind Royal Mackintosh (11-4) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.