Verdict

Stonific was engaged in the last race here yesterday. FOR PLEASURE contested Grade 1 races at Cheltenham and Aintree as a novice and was also highly tried over fences last season. He goes from the front but Daryl Jacob may be able to keep a bit up his sleeve around here. It’s a while since Tiger Voice ran over hurdles but he has been in action on the Flat and Fostered Phil returned from an extended lay-off with a fair second at Musselburgh. Fruit N Nut has run only three times over timber so should have more to offer and he’s the first of a promising book of the rides for the champion today.

Formwatch

For Pleasure (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed home turn, weakened thereafter, last of 4, 25 1/4l behind Goshen (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gd in Nov.

Tiger Voice (FR) 20-1 (9-1) Rear of mid-division, 13th 5f out, ridden and progress on inner 1 1/2f out, no extra closing stages, 9th of 23, 4 3/4l behind Moracana (8-10) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp sft in Sep.

Fruit N Nut (IRE) 13-8 (11-5) Chased leader, pushed along bypassing 3 out, headway to challenge next, ridden before last, no extra final 110yds, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Throne Hall (11-5) at Wetherby 2m (2) gd in Nov.

Zambezi Fix (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, brief headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, faded before last, last of 7, 32 1/2l behind Stainsby Girl (10-11) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov.

Stonific (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) In rear, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 23 1/4l behind Nayati (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.

Fostered Phil (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Towards rear, headway under pressure before 2 out, held every chance last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Sonning (12-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.