I'm A Legend just held off KING BREX last time out but this Novice Chase looks set to provide a reversal of those fortunes while Approved Force is an interesting performer based on his timber outings. The selection only just failed to get to I'm A legend last time after staying on to get with in a neck. The step up in trip should help him succeed this time, as should Peter Toole on his back as he's good value for his five pound claim. I'm A Legend looks to have a bit to do to maintain his superiority over the pick. That said his overall form is a bit better and he does stay further than this. Approved Force was a pretty decent runner over timber and if he can find that standard on his third start over fences he might prove hard to beat. Kamadice looks the only other to consider here after improving from his first to second run over the big stuff last time but if in the same mood a staying finish from King Brex should be enough.
Approved Force (USA) 9-2 (11-1) Not always fluent, hit 1st, held up last, driven into modest 4th 3 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Pocket Aces (11-1) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov ch 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
I'm A Legend 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at the 7th, ridden approaching last, led towards finish (no time taken), won at Taunton 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating King Brex (11-0) by nk, 4 ran.
Karmadice 8-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out to 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 10l behind April San (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (5) sft in Nov.
Keen Warrior 50-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened from 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Synchronised (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
King Brex (DEN) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in rear, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind I'm A Legend (11-0) at Taunton 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Nautical Approach (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden and weakened 5th, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Viable (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Sarde (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Prominent, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Dance Island (10-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Behind, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Open de L'Isle (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
