led to 4th, led again 6th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on not trouble winner
keen, in touch until weakened 8th
keen, tracked leaders, ridden 7th, weakened next
held up, headway after 7th, led on bit 3 out, cheekily
held up, headway and hit 8th, weakened 4 out
prominent, led 4th to 6th, ridden and every chance approaching 4 out, weakening in 4th when fell 2 out
We will select Major Benefit ahead of Another Native and, maybe, Jordans Lad. Pardini (who is also entered at Warwick) has bits of form that could see him go well, and is a course winner, as is Major Benefit, which is in their favour. The latter absolutely romped home here last time so a 12-pounds rise might not be enough to stop him. Jordans Lad looks to have been reasonably assessed following his summer Worcester win, but he lacks a recent run. Since being revised for winning, Charlies Future has not quite looked the same. but Another Native left a good impression when winning at Haydock last time and he can go well from his revised rating. Overall, though, the vote stays with Major Benefit.
Major Benefit (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 8th, clear 3 out, eased near finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy beating Full On (11-1) by 14l, 17 ran.
Jordans Lad (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway 9th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, edged right flat, driven out, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Apr beating Le Joyeux (11-1) by a nk, 17 ran.
Charlies Future 9-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, hit 5th, brief effort 10th, soon weakened and well behind from 13th, 7th of 13, 41l behind Kausse de Thaix (11-1) at Windsor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Nov.
Another Native (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 11th, chased leader 3 out, ridden after last, led 100 yards from finish, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft beating Itsuptoharry (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Thyne Man (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 14, 23l behind Theatre Knight (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn chs (E) gs in Nov.
Pardini (USA) 25-1 (10-10) In touch, lost place 5th, headway 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd post, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Blunham Hill (10-7) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft.