Verdict

Straw Bear appears to have been around forever but is still only nine. He had one of his greatest-ever days on this day three years ago when beating Harchibald in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but never took to fences and is best watched after an absence of exactly a year. A French Horse looked a very nice prospect when landing a novice hurdle from subsequent dual winner Topsham Belle at Warwick last November but he's another who may just need this and his yard has been out of form. Aldertune has always looked as though he would be suited by jumping fences so the fact that he won a bumper and a novice hurdle is a bonus. He should be ready for this chasing debut but it's another stoutly-bred performer in PEVERIL who gets the vote. Nicky Henderson's charge, the winner of a bumper and three novice hurdles, had the cobwebs blown off at Haydock a month ago and looks just the type to make a useful chaser. Squadron could prove best of the remainder as he showed some promise on his chasing bow at Huntingdon in May.

Formwatch

A French Horse (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Close up until badly hampered 5th, handy soon after, led 3 out, clear when hit last, driven out and kept on run-in, won at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '09 beating Topsham Belle (10-2) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.

Alderluck (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, led 5th to after next, led again before 3 out, 1 length clear and driven when fell heavily next, in a race won by Working Title (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov, 9 ran.

Aldertune (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leading pair next, left 2nd 3 out, every chance last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Bertie May (10-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.

Fiftyonefiftyone (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked clear leader, closed 5th, brought down 7th, in a race won by Mohayer (10-11) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov, 4 ran.

Outside The Box 100-1 (10-13) With leader until after 2nd, remained prominent, jumped right throughout, weakened after 8th, behind when mistake last, 5th of 7, 41l behind Medermit (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs.

Peveril 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, headway and in touch halfway, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 18, 24l behind Grands Crus (10-10) at Haydock 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.

Psi (USA) 11-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway 9th, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 21l behind Mud Monkey (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.

Sarando 16-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, lost place 5th, soon in rear, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 50l behind Medermit (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs.

Squadron 4-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 9th, outpaced 11th, about 20 lengths in 6th going to 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, took 4th towards finish, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Circus Of Dreams (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in May.

Straw Bear (USA) 33-1 (11-7) Led until after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, well behind Go Native (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec '09.