Another Brother gets the vote in the finale, with Lease Lend and Pen Gwen also considered. The selection has gone close on each of his last two starts and he was only beaten a neck by Foxspur at Uttoxeter last time. He should go on this ground and he can get his head in front. Lease Lend is another that should go on the ground and he has also been running consistently well. He is stepped-up in trip which should not be a problem and he can go close. Pen Gwen was far from disgraced back in third behind Oh Crick last time and he is another that will handle the ground. However, he has shaped as though his future will be over the bigger obstacles. Etxalar looks to be going the right way on the evidence of his most recent run here and Lucinda Russell's 5-year-old is well worth considering. However, we prefer the claims of Another Brother who looks to have plenty in his favour today.
Lease Lend 6-1 (11-5) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Another Brother (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Carrickmines (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 15, 40l behind Doctor David (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Classic Act 200-1 (11-0) Behind when fell in race won by Starting Point (11-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy, 15 ran.
Crossguard (USA) 100-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, ridden and weakened before 6th, 10th of 16, well behind Hold Em (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Double Intruder (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up and behind, steady progress from 3 out, kept on flat, never near to challenge, 4th of 13, 7l behind Colisay (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Etxalar (FR) 28-1 (10-12) In touch, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Cryptic (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Flamenco Bay (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 16, 26l behind Blencathra Bay (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Gillie Brown Alflora gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Khachaturian (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden 5th and no impression when blundered 2 out, 7th of 12, 32l behind Onefourfun (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Masterjoe 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind, some headway 5 out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 45l behind Cryptic (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Pen Gwen (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Led, driven and headed approaching 2 out, chased winner, hit last, no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Oh Crick (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Client (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 9th, 10th of 14, well behind Sullumo (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
What A Buzz 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 11l behind Dr Hart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gf in Dec.
