Pepe Simo won a small race at Sandown last month and justified market support in a jumpers' bumper on the all-weather here last week so his fitness is guaranteed. West With The Wind has won four of his last five starts over fences and his jumping has improved with experience, but Rock Noir has something to prove after a modest effort at Bangor. Dee Ee Williams was a classy hurdler on his day, though is still feeling his way over the larger obstacles so preference is for NADIYA DE LA VEGA. Nicky Henderson's filly has a chase pedigree and made a smooth transition to fences at Warwick on her UK debut.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Chased leader, challenged 5th, upsides when left alone next, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov, 3 ran.
Pepe Simo (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered after 1f, went 2nd 4f out, led on bit just over 1f out, easily, won at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std beating Noland (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Rock Noir (FR) 7-4fav (11-8) Chased leaders, took closer order halfway, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 47l behind Fiendish Flame (11-8) at Bangor 2m 1f grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
West With The Wind 7-1 (11-12) Always prominent, left in lead 9th, hard driven when jumped left 2out, soon strongly challenged, held on gamely, all out, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Aug beating Yellow Flag (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Nadiya De La Vega (FR) 11-10fav (10-3) Made all, hit 3 out, clear before next, eased towards finish, won at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Sir Du Bearn (10-10) by 13l, 5 ran.
