This revolves around SHISHKIN deigning to start having refused to race at Ascot last week. The cheekpieces are left off today and he’s a class apart from these back in handicap company. Ga Law has struggled since winning at Cheltenham at this time last year and headgear is applied but Elvis Mail had Empire Steel back in third when scoring at Kelso last month and bids for a hat-trick. Datsalrightgino won a Grade 2 novices' chase last season but Bill Baxter is a stone higher in the weights than when landing the Topham at Aintree in April.
Shishkin (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Reluctant to line up, whipped round start, refused to race, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Ga Law (FR) 12-1 (11-2) In rear, in touch, not jump fluently, reminder 6th, struggling 4 out, last of 6, 35 1/2l behind Botox Has (11-6) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Datsalrightgino (GER) 17-2 (11-3) Midfield, ridden along after last, struggling rounding home turn, weakened flat, 8th of 11, 16l behind Jetoile (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Oct.
Elvis Mail (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Held up, smooth headway to challenge 2 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on well flat, won going away, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct beating Highland Hunter (10-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
Ciel De Neige (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Towards rear, no impression after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, never a factor, 12th of 17, 25 3/4l behind Desertmore House (10-6) at Listowel 3m hcp (1) Yielding - Soft in Sep.
A Wave Of The Sea (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Mid-division and 9th halfway, not fluent 4 out and took closer order after next, pushed along behind leaders before 2 out and soon ridden, kept on same pace in 4th run-in, 4th of 12, 4l behind Gevrey (10-12) at Limerick 3m hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Empire Steel (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Prominent, led from 4th, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, headed last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Elvis Mail (10-10) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Bill Baxter (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, ridden 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 4, 13 1/2l behind Thunder Rock (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Nov.
