Crackleando looks set to improve on his debut effort and should play a major role here, but Lustral Du Seuil and Manx Royal should be the two to fight out the finish and the vote goes to the first named. Nicky Henderson's gelding has always been well regarded and landed a modest Folkestone event in December before finishing fourth to Coat Of Honour in a Class B event at Kempton. This is a major drop in grade and he should be capable of beating these rivals. Manx Royal landed a couple of minor events at Uttoxeter and Newton Abbot and wasn't disgraced by the top class Bagan last time. He should be in the shake up despite his penalty. Crackleando showed plenty of promise on his debut behind Darkness at Towcester and should go well for his in form stable. Recent winner Elfkirk will be best of the others, but Lustral Du Seuil should have too much class for these and is taken to oblige.
Manx Royal (FR) 7-2jt-fav Took keen hold in mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, 5th of 17, 12l behind Bagan at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Flying Enterprise (IRE) 9-4fav Prominent, headway on bit approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 19l behind Daryal at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Lustral du Seuil (FR) 9-4fav Chased leaders, effort on outer and ridden before 2 out, outpaced between last two, 4th of 9, 9l behind Coat of Honour at Kempton 2m nov hdl (B) gs in Dec.
Ellas Recovery (IRE) 10-1 Chased leader, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Bumper at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs.
Goss Hawk (NZ) 66-1 Held up in touch, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by The Listener at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (C) hvy, 7 ran.
Elfkirk (IRE) 16-1 Held up in touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (E) sft beating Sister Cinnamon by 4l, 8 ran.
Crackleando 14-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, every chance 8th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 19l behind Darkness at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft.
