Mark Equal has slipped to a fair mark but has proven to be difficult to win with and a safer bet looks to be Alphabetical, who is preferred to Serpentine Rock. The last mentioned has claims on the pick of his form but Philip Hobbs has been going through a barren spell of late and he is probably best watched at present. Priscilla looked likely to land a similar contest over course and distance last time until unseating her rider at the last and has an obvious chance on that evidence but she has since gone up 5lbs and now faces a stiffer task in a slightly better race. Cosmocrat looks to be in the grip of the handicapper at present, while Roofing Spirit has been well held off similar marks of late and may be best watched even under Mick Fitzgerald. The vote then goes to Charlie Mann's Alphabetical, who has gone up 7lbs for his win at Fontwell last time but that is far from harsh and, with more improvement to come, he gets the vote to follow up.
Serpentine Rock 15-2 (11-7) Chased leader, joined leader 4th, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Lorient Express (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Dec.
Made In France (FR) 11-2 (11-9) In touch until 8th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Nowator (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden approaching 13th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 35l behind East Lawyer (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Alphabetical (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway and chased leader after 8th, jumped well 11th, soon led, quickened clear 3 out, stumbled last, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Walcot Lad (10-2) by 17l, 7 ran.
Mark Equal 5-1 (10-8) In touch, headway and led after 6th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 16l behind Lorient Express (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Dec.
Cosmocrat 5-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st, held up in rear, slightly hampered 5th, one pace from 10th, 4th of 12, 29l behind Soeur Fontenail (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov.
Laurier d'Estruval (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hit 8th, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Rubberdubber (11-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs, 16 ran.
Priscilla 4-1 (11-1) Prominent, led approaching last, looked in command when stumbled and unseated rider at the last in race won by Wizard of Edge (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 10 ran.
