Whatcanyasay gets the nod in this weak opener; Lambrini Mist and Duke Of Stradone make it to the shortlist. This shouldn't take much winning and Whatcanyasay is fancied to oblige if repeating the run of his second last time out at Catterick. He appreciated the drop in trip on that occasion but he was staying on at the line and this return to further should not pose any problems. Lambrini Mist drops in trip having tired late on at Taunton last month, and looks a danger, whilst Yvanovitch is not the most consistent but on his best form would be a danger. Justwhateverulike can not be put forward until his jumping improves, whilst Duke Of Stadone should find this ground more to his liking than last time. A really terrible start and Whatcanyasay is taken to score.
Duke Of Stradone (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up behind, hit 2nd, headway from 10th, hit next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 33l behind Dun Drinan (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) frm in Nov.
Yvanovitch (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 10th, never on terms, 5th of 7, 31l behind Salhood (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway 7th, ridden and kept on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Stormy Beech (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Whatcanyasay 10-1 (9-7) In touch, lost place 7th, ridden and outpaced 5 out, rallied approaching 2 out, not fluent last, ran on flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Stormy Beech (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Towards rear when unseated rider 5 out in race won by Prince Balthasar (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Lambrini Mist 18-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, no danger after, 6th of 16, 29l behind Oakfield Legend (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Power Strike (USA) 50-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 21l behind Ocarina (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Goodbadindiferent (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway to track leader 8th, challenged 5 out, ridden and one pace from next, 4th of 11, 17l behind Hollows Mist (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Nov.
