D¿Argent is a classy type who relishes heavy ground, and he is a brave selection to defy top weight in what is effectively his seasonal re-appearance, with Nor, Nor East and Huka Lodge looking interesting contenders. The last time D¿Argent encountered similar conditions at Warwick last January, he won in good style. Admittedly that was over a longer trip, but his rivals here look a modest bunch, and Alan King¿s charge is only four pounds higher in the handicap. Nor¿Nor¿East got within 19 lengths of Air Force One a year ago, and although he then struggled to land the odds at Market Rasen, he ran well for a long way on his seasonal re-appearance here. He has won on testing ground and has to be on the short list. Huka Lodge likes it here-he won at the same meeting last year on similar ground, but the handicapper still has him on a 7lb higher mark despite a winless run since. D¿Argent can concede weight all round.
D'Argent (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped right and fell in race won by Malko De Beaumont (10-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft, 11 ran.
Rambling Minster 6-1 (11-3) Towards rear, hit 19th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, driven and one pace from next, 5th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Nor'nor'east (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Held up and mistake, chased leaders after 5 out, blundered next, soon weakened, eased from 2 out, 13th of 16, well behind Possol (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
You're Special (USA) 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, hampered 3rd (chair), soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Fair Question (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from last, 2nd of 10, 2l behind The Very Man (11-0) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, outpaced from 7th, 4th of 7, 23l behind Companero (11-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Rare Society (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) In touch, blundered 10th and 15th, soon lost place, no danger after, 7th of 13, 45l behind Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Chopneyev (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader to 10th, weakened from next, well beaten when blundered 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lidjo De Rouge (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
