Philip Hobbs has his team in good form but it is hard to believe that Pancake can be good enough to give weight away all round here and a better bet looks to be ALDERTUNE, who gets the vote with Watamu Bay rated the best of the rest. The selection has shown improved form in his last two starts in novices' hurdles for Paul Nicholls and he looks to be well treated off a mark of 119 for his debut in a handicap. Stumped has run well in his last two starts on fast ground but will not be inconvenienced by the softer ground today so he has to be considered as does Caroline Keevil's Deep Pockets, who dead-heated with Thedeboftheyear at Taunton last month and can race off just a 4lb higher mark here. Bob Buckler's Crank Hill could probably do with some help from the handicapper, while Magnifico represents the in-form stable of David Evans but needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge. Emma Lavelle's point-to-point winner Le Commencement is less exposed than most of these after just two starts under rules and has to be considered but more solid claims are held by Watamu Bay. Charlie Mann's gelding is another that has progressed from between the flags but his form is better than that of Le Commencement and he has to be respected following his win in a novices' hurdle at Ffos Las last time. Aldertune has a progressive profile though and he can give Paul Nicholls another winner.
