Top Mark can win this at the expense of Still At Lunch and April San. The selection is the winner of six races on the flat and had an official rating of 78 at his best. His latest win off 75 back in August was a solid effort and if able to translate his flat form to hurdles then he will take all the beating with a clear round. April San has run well in defeat this season and there looks as though there is still more to come. He was third of twelve at Bangor on his return and caught the eye when fourth to Pennek at Hereford last time out. He has experience on his side but others are preferred. Still At Lunch has performed well in all his bumper races winning at this track when making his reappearance from a break. He looks a nice type and will be a big danger to the selection if putting in a solid round of jumping. But for the winner we return to Top Mark.
April San 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 11l behind Pennek (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Cassius (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up, always towards rear, 12th of 16, 43l behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Cripsey Brook 7-1 (10-7) Behind, jumped right 2nd, headway 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 5th of 17, 17l behind Kingscourt Lad (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf.
Emerald Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 23l behind Quicuyo (11-5) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) hvy.
Farne Island 66-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 7th of 16, 36l behind Akarem (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Grand Opera (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, chased leaders and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Cool Ebony (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept (Flat).
My Bobby 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along over 6f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 8, 21l behind Keene Spirit (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Nov.
Nevinstown (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, 12th of 14, 42l behind Along The Nile (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Still At Lunch (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Led, soon clear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov beating La Pantera Rosa (11-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
Still Solvent 100-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Seeking Justice (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 10l behind Dasheena (8-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol (Flat).
Top Mark 9-4fav (9-7) Made all, challenge from 3f out, ridden and stayed on gamely, won at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Gallego (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran (Flat).
Zabeel Tower 14-1 (8-9) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 23l behind Confidentiality (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Just Posh 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Felinious (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Sept, 15 ran.
