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Scotch Warrior is not to be dismissed lightly but we'll side with TAKE THE STAND to get the better of the other penalised runner Bow School in an interesting Hunters' Chase. Our selection needs little introduction as a horse who only found Kicking King too good in the Gold Cup of 2005. Five long years have since passed but he's found a new lease of life in this sphere of late with wins at Cheltenham and Aintree before finding a pair of classy sorts too good at Stratford last time. That race was one of the best of its kind all season so this represents a drop in class and the 14-year-old gets our vote. Scotch Warrior has his conditions as both wins have come over two and a half miles on fast ground (one in a point-to-point) so as an improving six-year-old he's an interesting contender, although this is the acid test and at this stage may be too much to ask. As such Bow School is dominated as the chief threat to our selection having gamely landed a similar race at Wetherby last time. That came under today's rider and whilst on balance his form is a notch below that of our selection he's got age on his side and should give a good account. Ardnaclancy got off the mark under rules last time but that was only six days ago, so the combination of concerns about this coming too soon and his ability to get competitive in what is a much better race is enough for us to give him the swerve. Pen Gwen hasn't yet won since arriving in Britain back in 2007 and will find this no easier than the races he's been contesting of late so we'll happily return to Take The Stand, who will be very hard to beat.
Bow School (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, led 3 out, hit next, under pressure after last, hard ridden and kept on gamely towards finish, just held on, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in May beating Farmer Frank (12-1) by nk, 10 ran.
Take The Stand (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Prominent, challenged from 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Roulez Cool (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gf in May.
Ardnaclancy (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, challenged 10th, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on, won at Cartmel 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in May beating What Of It (11-5) by 6l, 9 ran.
Scotch Warrior 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenged 9th, led after 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hts chs (5) gf in May beating Chapmans Peak (11-9) by 47l, 6 ran.
Think Lucky 20-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner when blundered last and soon lost 2nd, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Farmer Frank (11-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd in May.
Benwell 12-1 (12-5) Nvr nr ldrs, 8th of 14, 33l behind Quechua Des Obeaux (11-12) at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May.
Pen Gwen (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leader, hit 8th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 23l behind Restart (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Pirate D'Estruval (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Nt jw; to 11, 5th of 13, 43l behind Victor (12-0) at Hexham Points 2m 4f ptp gd in May.
Rakerin Lad (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Rr early; hdwy 10; went 2nd 15; led aft 2 out; pushed out, won at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May beating Noir Et Vert (12-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Sendeed (USA) 6-1 (12-0) Led 5; lft clr 2 out, won at Mordon 3m ptp fm in May beating Fernandina (12-0) by 15l, 5 ran.
Victor (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Led app 11; drew wl clr 3 out, won at Hexham Points 2m 4f ptp gd in May beating Rowan Road (11-7) by 20l, 13 ran.
Hapthor 4-9 (12-5) (cp) ref to race, in a race won by Tomopolly (12-5) at Aspatria 3m ptp gf in May, 3 ran.
