Frero Banbou is 4lb higher than when passing Eclair D'Ainay in the closing stages to win this last year. The latter remains 10lb higher than when last successful but HADDEX DES OBEAUX is due to be raised by more than today’s penalty after landing a double. Gary Moore’s charge scored on heavy going at Warwick last week and has the beating of Fast Buck on collateral form. The latter returned the surprise winner over track and trip last month while Shakem Up'arry drops back down in class with a chance.
Sizing Pottsie (FR) 66-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on inside, hit 7th, hit next and weakened quickly, tailed off, left remote 5th before 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Editeur Du Gite (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Eclair D'Ainay (FR) 8-1 (11-13) Led narrowly, pushed along and headed 3 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Malystic (11-10) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Haddex Des Obeaux (FR) 5-4fav (11-3) Took keen hold, made all, clear last (normal 2 out), unchallenged, won at Warwick 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Galop De Chasse (10-3) by 19l, 4 ran.
Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 11-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 7th, challenged 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Midnight River (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Red Rookie 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along into 4th 5 out, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 5th of 12, 18l behind Fugitif (10-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Frero Banbou (FR) 11-4jfav (11-13) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, bit closer in 5th on inside at 5th, left in modest 4th 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, never on terms with principals, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Xcitations (11-6) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Hasankey (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along and struggling in 5th when not much room 3 out, ridden home turn, went left last, weakened run-in, 6th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Amarillo Sky (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Gunsight Ridge 3-1fav (11-6) Disputed lead, slight mistake and lost ground next, remained prominent to 4 out, pushed along 3 out, lost fourth run in, 5th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Brave Seasca (12-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
One True King (IRE) 17-2 (12-1) Held up on inner, pushed along and weakened from 5 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Laskalin (11-12) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Fast Buck (FR) 20-1 (11-8) With leader, led 2nd, headed next, led 4th, clear after 4 out, jumped right and not fluent 3 out, stayed on, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Galop De Chasse (11-12) by 10l, 10 ran.
