Martin Ossie looks all set to continue his winning ways, with Adelphi Theatre and Party Games seen as his main rivals. Milton Bradley is much better known for his sprinters, but has one to follow at this game in Martin Ossie who returns to the fray having won a hunter chase for a different stable at Huntingdon in May. He was nothing special over hurdles in 2003, but was a prolific winner between the flags last term and could make a name for himself over the winter. Adelphi Theatre has been a little disappointing since going chasing, but Richard Rowe is sure to have put him through his paces and it would be no surprise if he were to run well. Party Games has plenty of experience including winning form over fences, but showed nothing at Newbury last time and is hard to put one's faith in on that evidence, while Jethro Tull has plenty of stamina and is young enough to make his mark over fences as well. Martin Ossie is the interesting one though and is our pick.
Adelphi Theatre (USA) 6-1 (11-10) Held up, mistake 2nd, headway after 4 out, ridden 3 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Cassia Heights (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd.
General Grey (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Always in rear, struggling 10th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Pass Me A Dime (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Nov.
Isotop (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, mistake 11th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Alpine Slave (11-0) at Stratford 3m beg chs (D) gd in Apr '04.
Jethro Tull (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway to challenge 3 out, ridden next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 13l behind General Duroc (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy.
Martin Ossie 9-4 (12-0) Made all, left clear 3 out, driven out, won at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (H) gf in May beating Coomakista (11-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Party Games (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Always behind, ridden from 9th, lost touch from 12th, 8th of 11, 36l behind Ladalko (11-11) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Nov.
Lago d'Oro 150-1 (10-13) Always behind, mistake 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon struggling, 6th of 7, 33l behind Noland (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (C) gs.
Scratch The Dove 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway and in touch 12th, kept on from 2 out, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 8l behind Sunny South East (10-8) at Folkestone 3m 1f mrs beg chs (E) gd in Nov.
