A chance is taken with Hello Bud, who is preferred to Peveril Pride and Hazeljack. That said, a move for Kiltimoney would be interesting, as he has the proven stamina to make a fist of things and, as a previous course and distance winner, he has to be respected. A similar case can made for Strolling Vagabond, who won this race last year. However, he is much higher in the weights and his seasonal form has been most uninspiring this time around. Hazeljack is effective at this level and, having won off 21lb higher mark in the past, he is well treated on the pick of his form. There were signs of a revival from him at Warwick a fortnight ago and he can go close if he gets his act together. Peveril Pride has hit the bar in his last two outings and must be considered as a threat. However, only one win from 31 previous starts tells its own story and he needs everything to fall into place for him. Therefore, we prefer to side with Hello Bud, who has the proven stamina to push them all to the line and, with conditions not anticipated to be a problem, the David Wintle-trained gelding gets our vote.
Strolling Vagabond (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led to 6th, weakened 7th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Pitful Tercah (11-3) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl (5) gd, 14 ran.
One Step Closer (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, ridden, weakened 10th, 7th of 14, well behind Pitful Tercah (11-3) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl (5) gd.
Hello Bud (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 12th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Maori Legend (10-4) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Victree (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Towards rear, reminders 4th, headway 11th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, one pace 2 out, 3rd of 15, 14l behind BallyGalley Bob (11-5) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
The Teuchter 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden 9th, headway after 11th, weakened 13th and pulled up at the 17th in race won by Gumley Gale (11-8) at Chepstow 3m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Oct, 16 ran.
Star Glow 10-1 (10-7) In rear, headway 10th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 42l behind Maori Legend (10-4) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Kiltimoney (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pecked 11th, weakened 12th, 7th of 13, 48l behind Maori Legend (10-4) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Hazeljack 7-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 11th, weakened after 4 out, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Super Lord (11-12) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
The Mystery Man (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Held up when fell at the 9th in race won by Le Briar Soul (10-11) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Sir Bumble (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders and keen, mistake and rider lost whip 15th, no chance when pulled up 3 out in race won by BallyGalley Bob (11-5) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 15 ran.
Miss Doublet 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, weakened after 13th, tailed off, 3rd of 8, well behind Back On Line (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mrs nov chs (4) hvy.
Peveril Pride 11-2fav (10-1) Led, jumped right, fading when headed flat, 2nd of 15, 5l behind BallyGalley Bob (11-5) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Stormylad 18-1 (9-11) In touch until saddle slipped and pulled up 5 out in race won by Reelinga (11-5) at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
