This will be a real slog, even if the rains stays away, but TEOCHEW made a winning start over fences with a victory over 3m2f at Sedgefield last month and should be bang there at the finish once again. Urban Gale's recent wins have been on a faster surfaces at Catterick and then Southwell last time for which he is penalised but Nosey Box should cope with the underfoot conditions on the back of a placed effort at Down Royal. Silver Dragon has won off a higher mark over hurdles and Gibbstown scored over 3m here back in May though has been well beaten since.
Teochew (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) In touch on outer, went 2nd from 15th, led 4 out, ridden and clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Camillas Wish (10-10) by 14l, 7 ran.
Nosey Box (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Slightly impeded 1st, towards rear, moderate 5th and mistake 12th, left chasing leader in moderate 2nd from 4 out, closed approaching 2 out, soon challenged, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Knockanarrigan (11-2) at Down Royal 3m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Gibbstown (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division early, soon chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th 5 out, no extra before 3 out, weakened and pulled up after 3 out, at Ballinrobe 2m 7f hcp sft in Sep.
Urban Gale (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Led until 4th, led after next, headed 8th, mistake 15th, stayed on from last, led towards finish, won at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Kilcascan (11-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Silver Dragon 15-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, hard ridden after 5 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Longueville Flier (11-1) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
