Softer ground and this trip may bring about a return to form for MOCHO, who gets the tentative vote ahead of Magnetic Pole and Donald Will Do. The Ian Williams-trained selection was one-paced over further than this on good to soft at Southwell last time, but it is not long since we saw him land a 2m 4f novices' handicap chase at Chepstow on very testing ground. A 3lb drop in the weights will help and back over this trip we hope he can come good again. Magnetic Pole will be popular after some consistent recent form, including a fast ground win over course and distance in November. He is 12lbs higher now after a decent effort in defeat at Warwick last time, but it will be tough enough for him off his current mark. Donald Will Do's sole success came over course and distance and he has gone close to winning on two of his last three starts, all of which saw him runner-up. He is unproven on ground this testing, but if handling it then he should get very competitive. Wadswick Ben is a potential improver after just five career starts and showed up well at Folkestone on soft ground over a similar trip, so can't be ruled out of the equation, though Mocho is given another chance.
Phar Again (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 21l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bertie May (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
Magnetic Pole 11-4fav (10-3) In touch, led 6th to 7th, challenge 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Mocho (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 14, 18l behind Dan Buoy (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Magical Harry 17-2 (10-10) Held up, headway and in touch 8th, kept on same pace when 3 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 25l behind Rakalackey (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Sep '07.
Bold Punt (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led, headed 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 42l behind Peter Pole (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Whitewater Dash 16-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, prominent, weakening when hit 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Prince Geeno (11-9) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Mixsterthetrixster (USA) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, pushed along after 7th, reminders after next, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Whitewater Dash (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec '08, 7 ran.
Premier Bleu (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Fell 2nd, in a race won by Afistfullofpebbles (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Wadswick Ben 8-1 (10-9) Hampered 1st, good recovery, chased leaders, mistake 3 out, effort when hampered next, weakened approaching last, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Mr Floppy (10-3) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, challenging when left in lead 9th, headed 11th, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind PonchaTrain (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Finnish Melody 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, driven and effort 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 39l behind Ban Uisce (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jan.
