A modest heat and one in which any result is likely possible. Kap West has the most impressive recent form figures but is treading water off his current mark while Special Robon has been very disappointing since arriving from France, where he won over hurdles. Mut'ab and Sumdancer lack a recent run while Sablazo has had plenty of chances and Zen Factor is unreliable. WALTZING TORNADO should be approaching peak fitness now and seems best over 2m on holding ground. He gets a tentative vote to win for the first time since coming over from Ireland.
Mut'ab (USA) 20-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, went 4th after 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 29l behind Little Legend (11-7) at Folkestone 3m 2f nov hts chs (6) gd in May.
Special Robon (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, stumbled 7th, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 18l behind Denali Highway (11-8) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Waltzing Tornado (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Held up, took keen hold, headway 2nd, jumped left 11th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 26l behind Reginaldinho (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
Kap West (FR) 11-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch on inside, mistake 2nd, tracked leaders 4 out, outpaced next, plugged on to take moderated 3rd approaching last, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Topaze Collonges (11-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
Zen Factor 13-2 (11-9) Took keen hold, jumped left, pressed leader, mistake 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, already lost 2nd when went badly left next, weakened and pulled up before last, in a race won by Rouge Et Blanc (11-9) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Le Grand Chene (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Led until 8th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Landenstown Star (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Sumdancer (NZ) 33-1 (9-11) Behind, jumped right 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 26l behind Kilkenny All Star (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Sablazo (FR) 5-1 (9-10) Held up, headway to 4th at 6th, went 3rd soon after 4 out, disputing 2nd next until blundered 2 out, 3rd and well held when refused last, in a race won by Join The Navy (9-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
