Junior would have a cracking chance here on his third to Midnight Chase at Cheltenham but connections have stated he will go to Ascot if that meeting goes ahead. Newbury winner Buffalo Bob, also engaged at Ascot, has this race as his first preference however and should go well. Le Beau Bai ran well over hurdles at Exeter but may be using this as a prep race for the Welsh National, while Companero and Poker De Sivola are returning from a break. Sheriff Hutton comes here off the back of a battling win at Kelso but we're going to take a chance that KHACHATURIAN's run over hurdles here last month will have blown away any cobwebs. A winner on heavy ground at Newbury and Bangor last season, Donald McCain's seven-year-old could take some catching if allowed a soft lead in this.
Companero (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 6th, hit 10th, headed 6 out, remained close up, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Money Trix (11-10) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) sft in Nov '09.
Le Beau Bai (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Disputed lead, advantage before 4 out, joined next, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging gamely, still upsides last, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Superior Wisdom (10-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Nov.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along 10th, badly hampered 17th, never dangerous, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Atouchbetweenacara (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) Led to 10th, chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, weakened from next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Imperial Commander (11-7) at Haydock 3m chs G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) With leader, led 5th to before 8th, led again next, hard pressed from 4 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, held on towards finish, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating Sound Stage (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Junior 12-1 (10-11) Led until after 4th, always prominent, chased winner from 12th, ridden before 3 out, no impression from 2 out, weakened to 3rd flat, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
South O'The Border 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden in 5th approaching 4 out, went well held 4th 2 out, 4th of 7, 43l behind Royal Charm (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Khachaturian (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Led 1st, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Grands Crus (10-10) at Haydock 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, led after 2nd, made rest, hit 6th, joined 9th, ridden and hard pressed last, held on well under pressure flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Cast Iron Casey (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Bench Warrent (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, with leaders 9th, jumped right and blundered 17th, led 4 out, ridden headed approaching 3 out, disputing 6th and held when fell 2 out, in a race won by Peut Etre Sivola (10-4) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Minella Four Star (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Led, blundered 6th, headed 8th, led 12th, ridden after 3 out, 4th of 18, 3l behind Ouzbeck (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gf in Jun.
Categorical 10-3 (11-9) Led, jumped well, headed 4 out, rallied approaching last, weakening when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Cavers Glen (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Cavers Glen 5-1 (10-4) Always prominent, led 4 out, hard driven from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Fine Parchment (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Camden George (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Pressed winner, not fluent 9th or 18th, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Belon Gale (11-12) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
