While not always the safest of conveyances, Big Rob has bags of ability and gets the vote ahead of Tigers Lair and Full House. The last mentioned has claims on the form that he showed at Wetherby in October but he has disappointed since and now has a career high mark to defy. Nicky Henderson's Scots Grey has ability but is not the most consistent of performers, while Duncliffe remains unexposed but unconvincing. Tigers Lair is entitled to strip fitter for his recent return and has to be considered but Big Rob remains potentially well treated and he gets the vote in the hope that his jumping holds up.
Limerick Boy (GER) 9-4 (11-10) Led to 1st, prominent, switched right 9th, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Mixsterthetrixster (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (C) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Duncliffe 33-1 (11-7) Prominent when fell at the 8th in race won by Iris Bleu (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Scots Grey 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden after 13th, pecked 4 out, weakening when hampered 3 out, 9th of 16, 21l behind Sir Oj (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs.
Full House (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Hit 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Our Vic (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Hot Shots (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Mistakes, in rear, reminders 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Impek (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Tigers Lair (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Always prominent, led 11th, headed 14th, ridden to lead again 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 10l behind I Hear Thunder (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Oct.
Through The Rye 5-1 (11-9) Led, headed approaching 5th, weakened after 4 out, last of 6, well behind Bob Justice (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy.
Big Rob (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Led after 3rd to 7th, with winner, ridden 2 out, left 2nd last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Lord Nellsson (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.