BALLOTIN had just the one start last year but is clear at the weights and has won in the past returning from a lay-off. He has plenty in hand with Dineur, who won one of these events at Aintree when last in action n 2017. Kelvingrove scored at Taunton before finding life tough at Cheltenham in April last year but Double Ross has a recent outing under his belt and could go well. Point-to-point winner Mister Robbo debuts over regulation fences while Moreece and Vedettariat have also won between the flags but both missed the whole of last year.
Ballotin (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 14th of 19, dist behind Soul Emotion (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Dineur (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Led to 2nd, close up, ridden before last, led before elbow, held on well, won at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr beating Balnaslow (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 28 ran.
Kelvingrove (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, awkward 3rd, hampered 5th, reminder after 7th, weakened before 17th, beaten when blundered 3 out, 6th of 11, 28 1/4l behind Winter Lion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Bally River Boy (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, weakened before 12th, pulled up after, at Warwick 3m (6) gs in Jan.
Double Ross (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, not fluent and lost place 14th, soon weakened, 10th of 12, dist behind Hazel Hill (12-6) at Warwick 3m (6) gs in Jan.
Milborough (IRE) 3-1 (12-7) Hdwy 9; wknd 19; pu 3 out, at Barbury Racecourse 3m 6f in Dec.
Mister Robbo (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) A.p; led 3 out til hdd nxt; kpt on flat, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Road To Rome (12-0) at Clifton-on-dunsmore 3m in Dec.
Moreece (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) (cp) made virt all; drew clr bet last 2; comf, won at Bishops Court 3m gs in Nov beating Creative Inerta (12-0) by 20l, 5 ran.
Tulsa Jack (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, lost place after 6th, effort 12th, lost place 4 out, 9th of 12, 30 1/2l behind Hazel Hill (12-6) at Warwick 3m (6) gs in Jan.
Vedettariat (FR) 11-8 (11-7) Hdwy 6; led 11 til hdd & wknd 14; t.o, 3rd of 4, dist behind Popaway (11-0) at Brafield-on-the-green 3m gd in Mar.
