Antonius Caesar, Silent Bay and Frankie Figg are the three to look at in this race with the vote going to the last named. The selection was a faller on his chase debut when being taken on at the second last. Prior to that he won back to back novice hurdles and to win with a penalty suggests that if putting in a clear round of jumping he is very much a horse to stay on the right side of. Antonius Caesar gets the four year old weight concession here but was a little disappointing when sent off favourite at Doncaster last time out. He ran well the time prior to that but cannot be relied upon. The same can be said for Silent Bay who was good enough to win a couple of hurdle races but is not quite cutting the mustard over the larger obstacles this winter. So for the winner we return to Frankie Figg.
Abzuson 50-1 (10-5) Never a threat, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Burntoakboy (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Allistathebarrista (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) In touch, mistake 9th, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 41l behind Here's Johnny (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, ridden when fell 4 out in race won by Nevertika (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft, 7 ran.
Silent Bay 7-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 7, 24l behind Scribano Eile (10-4) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Thames (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-7) In touch, effort 8th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 6th of 11, well behind Oedipe (10-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Witch Wind 11-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Rathowen (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 7-4fav (10-7) Held up in touch, went 2nd 6 out, joined leader 5 out, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on until no extra flat, 4th of 5, 6l behind Pseudonym (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf.
