Songe has been in good form over fences and has gone well here in the past over hurdles. Benny Be Good also scored over fences last time and neither the trip nor the ground will concern Keith Reveley's gelding. Stopped Out came back to form at Kelso last time, but Drill Sergeant is far from straightforward and doesn't look particularly well treated on his handicap bow. Neither Raslan nor stable companion Buena Vista made much impression last time, while Grand National winner Don't Push It was pulled up on his return to action at Cheltenham and may need more time. So we'll give GIFTED LEADER another chance to prove himself at this level. Ian Williams' charge was staying on strongly over 2m here last time and will be suited by this extra half-mile.
Issaquah (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Led, headed 4 out, weakened before next, behind and no chance when hampered 3 out, 15th of 17, well behind Menorah (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Raslan 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, lost place and reminders 9th, under pressure when hampered 3 out, soon behind, 11th of 16, 47l behind Lush Life (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Songe (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in rear, in touch, mistake 12th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, led just after last, hard ridden and strongly challenged flat, held on under pressure, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Alesandro Mantegna (10-12) by hd, 7 ran.
Buena Vista (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 8th, kept on under pressure approaching last, never on terms, 7th of 16, 10l behind Lush Life (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Don't Push It (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 5th, lost place 8th, behind when hampered 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Lush Life (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd, 16 ran.
Chartreux (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place after 6th, ridden in rear next, tailed off, 9th of 19, well behind Berties Dream (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Drill Sergeant 13-2 (11-6) Led narrowly, pushed along when headed briefly after 3rd, ridden and hard pressed from 3 out, headed flat, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Toubab (11-0) at Haydock 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Chief Yeoman 33-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 5 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 13, 25l behind Any Given Day (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct.
Federstar (GER) 12-1 (11-10) Held up in rear but in touch, blundered 5th, mistake 12th, weakened 14th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Cavers Glen (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Benny Be Good 11-4fav (11-2) Led headed after 1st, led 12th, headed narrowly 2 out, led and not fluent last, kept on well towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Nov beating Catch Bob (10-9) by 4l, 9 ran.
Gifted Leader (USA) 5-1 (11-9) In touch and keen, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Rio Gael (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
The Hollinwell 16-1 (11-5) In rear and not fluent, soon struggling, detached from 7th, tailed off when pulled up, in a race won by Mount Oscar (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Stopped Out 9-1 (11-5) Held up in touch on inside, soon dropped towards rear, hampered 7th, headway 3 out, hit 2 out, led run-in, kept on under pressure, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Charlie Bucket (9-4) by 1l, 12 ran.
Chester Lad 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to 6th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, 16th of 18, well behind Grands Crus (10-10) at Haydock 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Stormy Weather (FR) 11-2 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 12, 25l behind Tocca Ferro (10-13) at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov.
