CHAPOTURGEON has failed to live up to expectations thus far but his Warwick defeat is looking better than it did at the time so he may be worth another chance. Heathcote and Sea The Light are the probable dangers. The weight that David Johnson's runner receives will certainly come in handy but it won't make any difference to the result if he finishes as tamely as he did at Warwick. His conqueror that day looks destined to make his presence felt in the highest echelons of the sport and Chapoturgeon is given the chance to pay him a compliment. Heathcote is a smart handicap hurdler who has made a decent transition to chasing, winning twice in three starts. The concession of a stone to the selection is a big ask but he may well complete his hat-trick if the selection fails to live up to expectations once again. Sea The Light was beaten a long way on his chase bow but was entitled to need the run. He's from a good family, was a useful sort over hurdles and it wouldn't surprise to see him show up prominently but Chapoturgeon is the call.
Heathcote 9-4 (11-5) Raced widest of all in 3rd, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, closed and went 2nd soon after 2 out, good jump last, quickened to lead final 100 yards, won at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec beating Jigsaw Dancer (11-5) by 1/2l,.
Charming Oscar (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway when hampered approaching 10th, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 9l behind Take It There (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
The Randy Bishop 8-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, ridden and edged left flat, kept on towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Guns And Butter (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hill Forts Timmy 25-1 (10-11) Held up in last pair, struggling in 4th 4 out, soon weakened, left 3rd next, 3rd of 5, 32l behind Herecomesthetruth (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Sea The Light 16-1 (11-0) Held up, left 4th 3rd, disputed 2nd from 6th, propped on landing 8th, mistake next, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, lost 3rd approaching last, 4th of 5, 36l behind Doctor David (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 8-11fav (10-10) Soon pressing leader, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Araldur (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
