This looks a weak Novice hanidcap chase and after shaping well on his chase bow last time we side with the dominitive DUKEDOM ahead of last time out winner Devils River while Satindra also has claims. The pick certainly had no problems with jumping the bigger obstacles at Ffos Las last time but ran a bit freely to give him a chance at lasting home. That was over a longer trip and in this company he should go well. Devils River had a hard race to just get up to score on his own first run in this sphere. He wasn't that fluent in his work and the extra pounds added to his back might be telling. Satindra took a similarly weak contest two starts ago and ran well last time at Towcester. A repeat of that last run might be enough and a place in the prize money looks almost booked. Of the others only Normandy Landings makes any appeal after a good round of jumping last time but in a poor contest Dukedom can score on his second start in these ranks.
Dukedom 12-1 (11-4) Set steady pace, mistake 4th, mistake and headed 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and hit next, beaten when left modest 3rd last, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Dusk (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 3f am hcp ch 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Normandy Landings 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, challenge 7th, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 13, 20l behind Star Galaxy (9-9) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Rince Donn (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 5th unbeaten and mistake last, 5th of 13, 20l behind Star Galaxy (9-9) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Devils River (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Led until mistake 3 out, regained lead approaching 2 out, soon 4 lengths clear, jumped slowly last, all out flat, holding on towards finish, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Nov beating King Diamond (10-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Satindra (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Held up, stumbled 7th, pushed along after next, headway 10th, hampered 4 out, outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Mr Ironman (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Maclean 20-1 (10-6) Behind, tailed off, pulled up 9th, in a race won by The Snail (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 12 ran.
Wiesenfurst (GER) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 4th, never on terms, 6th of 9, 29l behind Dreams Jewel (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
King Diamond (FR) 6-1 (10-1) Mid-division, chased leaders halfway, effort 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 13, 29l behind Ere Alfie (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) sft.
Wishes Or Watches (IRE) 28-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, under pressure 10th, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 41l behind Ere Alfie (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) sft.
Quondor Noire (FR) 8-1 (10-4) Left in lead 1st, made most until after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 10, well behind Sanpor (10-10) at Hereford 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
