Verdict

Shrewd Investor had some decent form over hurdles, including on testing ground, from limited opportunities and progressed from his first start over the larger obstacles when landing a similar contest at Newcastle last month and he is taken to defy his penalty and follow up, with the main threats rated as Hockenheim and Minster Shadow. The last mentioned made a pleasing start to his chasing career at Carlisle last month but he needs to improve on that showing to trouble the judge and may be best watched. Le Roi Rouge has to carry a penalty for the race that he won in France and has to be respected but the five-year-old is hard to recommend on the evidence of his two runs since joining Ferdy Murphy. Allistathebarrista is less exposed than most and could be of interest if improving for his reappearance effort. Minster Shadow lost no caste in defeat behind Akilak on his chasing debut last month and has to be respected but a bigger threat is likely to come from Hockenheim, who is better than he showed at Cheltenham last time. Shrewd Investor holds solid claims though and is hard to oppose.

Formwatch

Le Roi Rouge (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up, headway 11th, going well when blundered 4 out, soon lost place, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 8l behind Own Line (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.

Shrewd Investor (IRE) 5-4fav (10-8) In touch, mistake 2nd, disputed lead when blundered 6th, led 11th, ridden 4 lengths clear 3 out, held on flat, won at Newcastle 3m nov chs (3) gs beating Karelian (11-7) by 3/4l, 7 ran.

Allistathebarrista (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) In touch, mistake 9th, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 41l behind Here's Johnny (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.

Callingwood (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Jumped slowly 1st, in rear, lost touch 7th, trailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bestofthebrownies (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Apr, 9 ran.

Dalawan 66-1 (10-13) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Rathowen (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.

Hockenheim (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Flight Leader (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec '06, 8 ran.

Minster Shadow 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner 5 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Akilak (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.