A big field and not much quality around; narrow preference from a shortlist of Stop The Show, Bermuda Pointe, Categorical and MONGORNO is to side with the latter. Ferdy Murphy's gelding was a beaten favourite last time out when fairly comfortably held by a rejuvenated Amble Forge. That form looks solid, and it might be time for the six-year-old to record his first ever chase win. Categorical and Bermuda Pointe are both consistent and should once again run their race, but the worry is that neither is that well-handicapped and neither stable seems to be firing on all cylinders. Of more interest then may be Anchor Bridge who should have come on significantly for his run in December after a break, however he needs to improve his jumping. Jumping has also been a problem in the past for Stop The Show but Richard Phillips' son of King's Theatre should be more at home in this better ground and a return to form would not be a big surprise. Aheadofhistime, a recent winner at Chepstow over shorter is another for consideration, but in a tricky contest, we will take a punt on Mongorno.
Lester Leaps In (USA) 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 15th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Cresswell Willow (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Categorical 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway and every chance 4 out, ridden next, hit 2 out, no extra after, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Chrysander (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (4) gs.
Mongorno (FR) 11-4jt-fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5th, mistake 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Amble Forge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Bermuda Pointe (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Soon prominent, hit 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, mistake last, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Charming Oscar (10-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Slight lead 2nd until next, stayed prominent, weakening when blundered 9th, 10th of 16, 37l behind I'm The Decider (11-3) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Space Cowboy (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, no chance from 11th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Busy Isit (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Tarabaloo 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on under pressure from last, no impression with 1st, 3rd of 9, 6l behind The Randy Bishop (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Stop The Show (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 18, 44l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Nous Voila (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen, jumped left 4th, tracked winner 7th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Sole Agent (11-12) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Kikos (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 8, 25l behind Rathmulen (10-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Anchor Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 10th, plugged on, 6th of 13, 37l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Major Catch (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Led to 8th, close up, ridden 5 out, weakened from 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Just Smudge (12-1) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Gus 10-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, chased winner before 3 out, blundered last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Mattaking (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Aheadofhistime (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-7) Held up, steady headway 7th, ridden to lead last, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan beating Guns of Love (10-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
Le Millenaire (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Great Character (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, lost place after 9th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fresh Air And Fun (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Regal Term (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, reminders 5th, stayed on but never troubled winner, 3rd of 13, 34l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, hit last, 4th of 9, 23l behind Idarah (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
