We will take a chance on Scotch Corner here ahead of Alcopop, Hiers de Brouage and Tom Costalot. Alcopop was just beaten off today's mark at Doncaster and continues to run well. Hiers de Brouage ran well from today's mark over a shorter trip last time, but is no more than fairly weighted, and Scotch Corner got back to winning ways at Ludlow and, even though that was a modest race, he comes here with his confidence on a high. Tom Costalot showed a bit more of his old self here last time and on his best form he is very well-weighted. Walcot Lad won well last time but needs a career-best effort in order to score, similar comments applying to Alcatras, while Lord Broadway has been off for a long time. Finally, Kadito is well-weighted based on 2003 form, but recent efforts have not been so good. All of which returns us to the choice, which is Scotch Corner.
Alcopop 7-2 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied flat, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Lindsay (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd.
Supreme Tadgh (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to track leading pair going well before 3 out, chased winner approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Harris Bay (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft.
Hiers de Brouage (FR) 4-1 (11-8) With leader, lost 2nd and hit 3 out, stayed on flat, no extra final 50 yards, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Soeur Fontenail (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs.
Scotch Corner (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Prominent when hampered 1st, chased leader from 7th, ridden 4 out, led after 3 out, clear last, won at Ludlow 2m nov chs (E) gd beating Solar At'Em (11-4) by 9l, 6 ran.
Tom Costalot (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd run in, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Ladalko (11-11) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Nov.
Lord Broadway (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake and ridden 11th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Celestial Gold (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (B) gf in Apr '04.
Walcot Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leader, kept on to lead approaching last, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd beating Bewleys Guest (10-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Royale Acadou (FR) 50-1 (11-6) Disputed lead until 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 24l behind Muttley Maguire (11-7) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Alcatras (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) In touch, went second after 12th, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd beating Hever Road (11-6) by 2l, 9 ran.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden after 7th, soon behind, 7th of 8, 34l behind Crossbow Creek (11-5) at Taunton 2m beg chs (D) gf in Nov.
Kadito 33-1 (10-9) Led to 7th, prominent until weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 9, 33l behind Soeur Fontenail (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs.
