A competitive race to open up proceedings; however we will side with CHARMAHAL ahead of Folie A Deux and Charles Street. The selection is not the easiest of rides and as a consequence he is the not the easiest to win with. However he caught the eye when finishing a decent second to Saafend Rocket at Southwell last time out. He has been raised four pounds for his troubles which seems a little tough but if he can recapture his recent form he will not be too far away come the business end of the race. Folie A Deux is five pounds worse off for winning at Bangor in May on his latest outing. He seems better when fresh and trainer Tom George has not rushed him back to the track so any market moves should be noted. Charles Street comes from a yard in form but has the burden of top weight to carry. He has in the past won off a similar mark so has to be respected, however Charmahal gets the clear vote and can be yet another winner for the O'Neil/McCoy combination.
Charles Street 16-1 (10-10) Towards rear, not fluent 5th, ridden 14th, plugged on to take 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 16, 19l behind Sea Wall (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 14th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 13, 44l behind Native City (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Charmahal (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden, not quicken, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Saafend Rocket (10-10) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Pipers Legend 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway after 9th, ridden after 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Cold Mountain (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Arctic Shadow 4-1fav (11-7) In touch until 13th, soon behind, 12th of 15, well behind Bernard (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Folie A Deux (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Made all, stayed on well from last, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May beating Sea Robber (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Basis Point (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In rear, not fluent 1st, jumped slowly and lost touch 2nd, tailed off approaching 6th, 7th of 9, well behind Red Jester (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.
River Ripples (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never a factor, 7th of 16, 25l behind Saunders Road (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov '07.
Silver Dollars (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Led to 3rd, chased winner to 9th, behind after next, 7th of 9, 25l behind Vial De Kerdec (10-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Stormy Bay (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway and in touch 10th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 15l behind Uptown Lad (9-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Pharaon de Touzaine (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Left chasing leader 1st, led after 6th, headed 10th, regained lead 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and weakening when left 2nd last, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Mystic Storm (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (4) gf in May.
Letham Island (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) In touch, badly hampered 8th, not recover and pulled up after 9th, in a race won by Native City (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 13 ran.
Milesian King (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) (tt) led 8-13; no imp 3 out, last of 3, 14l behind Dante's Back (11-0) at Bratton Down 3m ptp in May.
Zonic Boom (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 37l behind Dan Ryan (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f stks (5) gd in Jun.
