Marleybow's run at Haydock in October was most disappointing and he hasn't been seen since. The former Howard Johnson inmate is probably best watched for now, though did finish a long way in front of the inconsistent Whataboutya over this C&D earlier. Front-runner Runshan is likely to make this a stern test of stamina and that could expose De Bansha Man, who was tailed off when tried over this trip for the first time at Leicester. But David Bridgewater's stayer may be vulnerable to the finishing kick of BRENIN CWMTUDU, who quickened nicely to score over 2m6f at Hereford recently and still has a bit of scope over the larger obstacles.
Whataboutya (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, under pressure 14th, pulled up after next, in a race won by Minella Boys (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 14 ran.
Ginolad (AUS) 33-1 (11-4) Soon chased leaders on outside, weakened 13th, 7th of 11, 34l behind Sona Sasta (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Marleybow (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, ridden 4 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake 2 out, 5th of 12, 35l behind Le Platino (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Brenin Cwmtudu 17-2 (10-8) Mid-division, headway when hampered 5th, not much room when going into 2nd 8th, led after 2 out, edged left approaching last, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Strongbows Legend (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Runshan (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Chased leader, led after 9th, headed 12th, led again 14th, hampered 17th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, led again briefly approaching 3 out, one pace and left in 4th last, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 25l behind Peut Etre Sivola (10-4) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
De Bansha Man (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Led to 4th, tracked leader, lost place after 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Three Chords (11-10) at Leicester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Derawar (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) (cp) bhnd til hdwy 11; chsd wnr 13; nvr on terms, 2nd of 8, 15l behind Chesnut Annie (10-7) at Lydstep 3m ptp gs in Apr.
Bringewood Fox 12-1 (11-9) Held up tracking leaders, mistake 7th, soon ridden along, weakened 14th, blundered next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Ukrainian Star (11-0) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
