PRET A THOU has shown improved form with each start this term, could not have won with much more ease than when taking a similar contest at Hereford last week, and he is taken to defy the penalty for that success, getting the vote ahead of Forfeiter and National Petition. The last mentioned runs in a handicap for the first time today on what is his chasing debut but he could be potentially well treated and Venetia Williams has her team in good form. Just Like That has fallen twice in his last three starts but has to be respected off a fair mark on the balance of his form and he would have every chance if Evan Williams has ironed out his jumping problems. Kim Bailey's Ya I Know ran better at Hereford last time and he makes more appeal than Sarahs Gift, who looks booked for a place at best. Christian Von Der Recke's Forfeiter makes his first start in the UK since April and has to be respected given that he seems to have improved in recent starts in Germany. Pret A Thou has an obvious chance following his recent Hereford success and he gets the vote to follow up.
Pret A Thou (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Made all, clear 2 out, ran on, won at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Folie A Deux (11-7) by 21l, 14 ran.
Forfeiter (USA) (11-0) 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Barry Hirsch (10-6) at Baden-Baden 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Sept.
Gus 16-1 (10-12) Always behind weakened from 4 out, 6th of 9, 47l behind Corlande (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Just Like That 13-8fav (10-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway from 3 out, shaken up and close 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Chunky Lad (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Scalini's (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 10th, weakened 13th, 4th of 6, 20l behind Pacco (11-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Ya I Know (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, hit 14th, chased winner from 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Methodical (10-4) at Hereford 3m 1f clm chs (3) gs.
National Petition (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division until 5th, soon well behind, went moderate 4th 2 out, 4th of 14, 40l behind Shamari (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Covey (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Mid-division, steady headway 4 out, hampered 3 out, soon held and mistake last, 6th of 14, 33l behind Pret A Thou (11-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Brimham Boy 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, joined leader 7th, led after 8th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, last of 4, 7l behind Shake The Barley (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov.
Hazeam 16-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, jumped right 1st, no chance from 9th, blundered 2 out, 8th of 9, 36l behind Major Catch (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Sarahs Gift (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Led, headed 7th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 7, 11l behind Amble Forge (11-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Always Baileys (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Held up, ridden and outpaced 7th, some progress 3 out, short lived effort, 5th of 11, 18l behind Furze Hill (10-6) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
