Recent course and distance winner Miss Mattie Ross has to defy a 10lb higher mark and, at the forecast odds, she looks worth taking on with preference for You're Special over Robbo and Harrovian. The last mentioned has a good season last term, including winning twice here, but he may just need another run to put him spot on. Cill Churnain has claims on the pick of his form but is becoming unreliable, while Hidden Bounty needs to come on quite a bit for his return at Wetherby last month. Hugo de Grez showed little sign for encouragement on his reappearance following a lengthy absence at Carlisle last month and of more interest is Keith Reveley's Robbo, who ran much better back over hurdles at Sedgefield last time. The vote though goes to You're Special, who represents a stable in good form and is entitled to improve for recent outings over a trip that suits.
You're Special (USA) 33-1 (11-1) Close up, lost place 8th, headway approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Dark'n Sharp (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs.
Alam (USA) 25-1 (11-12) Behind, headway 12th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 8th of 9, well behind Il'Athou (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft.
Hidden Bounty (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 25l behind Mister Arjay (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Oct.
Harrovian 3-1fav (10-6) Held up, in mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression, 5th of 13, 16l behind Tynedale (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs.
Robbo 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led after 6th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Ungaro (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft.
Cill Churnain (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Prominent, close 2nd when blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Il'Athou (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft, 9 ran.
Hugo de Grez (FR) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Ross Comm (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (C) hvy in Oct, 17 ran.
Miss Mattie Ross 6-1 (9-10) Made all, stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs beating Interdit (11-5) by 9l, 11 ran.
