Anshabil can give Alan King another winner, with Stern, Eleazar and Allaboveboard seen as the main dangers. Not many line up in form here, and on the strength of a battling first success over fences at Hereford in December, Anshabil is selected to follow up despite a rise in class. Most of his rivals line up out of form at present, although it is difficult to say whether Stern would have taken a hand in the finish at Wincanton on Boxing Day had he stayed upright. Prior to that he was pulled up when sent off as favourite at Newbury, and it would be no surprise if he were to figure here. Eleazar also left the money in the bookies' satchels at Fakenham and needs to brush up his jumping, while Allaboveboard needs to find a few pounds but at least has the assistance of Richard Johnson. It is not an event to get heavily involved in, but a small wager on Anshabil may bear fruit.
Stern (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Prominent until ridden and fell at the 6th in race won by Alphabetical (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
The Nomad 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, soon weakened and pulled up 5 out in race won by Loulou Nivernais (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Eleazar (GER) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, lost place 8th, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 16l behind Beau Torero (10-12) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 33l behind Mr Prickle (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Anshabil (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) In touch, ridden to lead 3 out, challenged last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec beating Lescer's Lad (10-2) by a nk, 17 ran.
Allaboveboard (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Prominent early, held up in touch, blundered 12th, weakening and blundered 13th, 9th of 13, 42l behind Art Virginia (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Dec.
Abraham Smith 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, weakened 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ice Bucket (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Signature Tune (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up, mistake, struggling 4 out, no chance after, 5th of 9, 15l behind Jupon Vert (11-9) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Shining Joy (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden 5 out, beaten when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Alderbrook Girl (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
