Nocatee was a fortunate winner of a novices' chase at Newcastle last time and has more to do having been raised 4lbs since then in a handicap today so a chance is taken with the jumping of Trenance, who gets the vote ahead of Ironside. The last mentioned ran better at Haydock earlier this month and Henry Daly's string are in good form at present so he would have to be respected. Jonjo O'Neill's Money Line makes his chasing debut today and could be anything but, being by Roselier, this trip and ground should suit the seven-year-old. Kim Bailey's Onyourheadbeit would have claims on the form shown at Haydock two starts ago but disappointed at Towcester when last seen and may be best watched. Dickie Lewis could hardly have won more easily over hurdles in the mud at Uttoxeter last month and could be of interest back over fences today, while Monsieur Georges hails from a stable bang in form right now but is hard to recommend on all known form since coming over from France. Trenance has not always looked to be the safest of jumper sand has fallen in two of his three starts this term but he would have solid claims if putting in a clear round and, in the hoe that Tom George's gelding can do that, he gets the vote.
Onyourheadbeit (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Behind, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Blunham Hill (10-5) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Money Line (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 7th of 13, 25l behind Scotmail (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Dramatic Quest 25-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 10th, weakening when blundered 4 out, 6th of 10, well behind Alderburn (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Dec.
Nocatee (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, left in lead 2 out, kept on, won at Newcastle 3m nov chs (E) hvy in Dec beating Chabrimal Minster (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ironside (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) In touch, lost place 14th, stayed on flat, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Lord Brock (11-2) at Haydock 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Trenance 6-1 (11-0) Held up rear, headway 11th, ridden and 4th when fell 4 out in race won by Graceful Dancer (10-11) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (F) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Dickie Lewis 10-1 (9-13) Prominent and keen, led 9th, hit last 3, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) hvy in Dec beating Young Lorcan (10-8) by a distance, 9 ran.
Monsieur Georges (FR) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, outpaced 6th, headway 15th, weakened 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Regal Vision (10-2) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Dec, 15 ran.
