Verdict

Golden Duck finds himself with a 10lb rise in the weights for his recent C&D victory and pulled up on both previous occasions he raced from this mark. However, he won so easily that day, defying a very long absence in the process, that he's an obvious contender. Mic Aubin landed a novice hunter chase at Newton Abbot in March and a couple of runs over hurdles will have sharpened him up for this, while the veteran Good Old Days loves it around here and is only 6lb higher than when scoring over the C&D in April. Flying Squad has had just two runs over fences, jumping much better on his most recent start when just touched off at Chepstow than he did on his debut. With further progress likely he can get involved as can Silver Dollars, a winner from just 1lb lower at Musselburgh in February and from a yard that had two winners on Wednesday. DOURYNA is still a maiden but looked an improved performer on her chasing debut at Chepstow where she would have given eventual winner Rimini a fright but for falling at the last. Providing she is over that mishap she can gain her first success.

Formwatch

Golden Duck (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leading trio, 3rd from 9th, going well to lead before 3 out, clear before last, heavily eased towards finish, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov beating Fongoli (10-1) by 8l, 7 ran.

Mic Aubin (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd towards finish, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 16, 17l behind Full Of Joy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.

Kasimali (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Soon tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, weakening when hampered 6 out, behind from 4 out, 11th of 20, well behind Saddlers Storm (10-9) at Navan 3m nov chs in Mar.

Good Old Days (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, ridden 4 out, went well held 3rd 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 12, 21l behind Inside Dealer (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.

Sumdancer (NZ) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 7th, led 4 out, headed when mistake 3 out, chased leader until after 2 out, weakened before last, lost modest 3rd flat, 4th of 6, 15l behind Near The Water (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.

Katalak (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) In touch, lost place after 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Aztec Treasure (11-9) at Towcester 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 9 ran.

Maximix 15-2 (11-4) Held up in 6th, headway 7th, pushed along to chase leading pair next until 3 out, went modest 3rd again flat, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Near The Water (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.

Flying Squad (UAE) 9-4fav (11-7) Held up, good headway to chase winner on inside 5 out, hit 2 out, kept on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Manmoon (11-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) sft in Nov.

Jeczmien (POL) 14-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, headway to join leader 3rd until mistake 5th, weaakened before 8th, soon tailed off, 5th of 6, 32l behind Near The Water (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.

Douryna 7-2 (10-11) Took keen hold, held up early, headway 5th, chased leading trio 7th, pushed along before 5 out, chased winner 3 out, about 2 lengths down and looked held when fell last, in a race won by Rimini (11-10) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.

Silver Dollars (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Jumped right, soon led, clear 2nd until 7th, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, mistake last, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Abbey Dore (10-9) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.

Ede's 10-1 (10-4) Towards rear, pushed along after 9th, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from next, 4th of 11, 14l behind Brimham Boy (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in May.

Fongoli 11-4fav (10-12) Led, headed 4th, close up, reminders 7th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, left 2nd at last, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Roc De Guye (11-7) at Fakenham 2m cond hcp chs 0-85 (5) gs in Nov.