Impossible to oppose Mr Woodentop, who looks like he could run up a sequence for connections in staying novices events. The seven-year-old confirmed his love of Ayr (where he won three times over hurdles) with the easiest of successes on his chasing debut a fortnight ago and looks well capable of giving weight to all but Winchester and scoring again in ground that will suit. Winchester can chase him home off the same mark here. The Gunner B gelding will also relish the cut here and won with plenty in hand at Catterick last time, though he has finished behind Len Lungo's Skippers Cleuch before and that should give the trainer of Mr Woodentop a good idea of how his charge should go here. Of the remainder Bay Magic was beaten by another Lungo inmate, True North, last time in hurdles company. He has won over the bigger obstacles and can make the frame here, but it is hard to see him winning.
