Some old favourites hold entries in this. Unfortunately, Omix d'Or, Pancake and C'Monthehammers are probably more likely to run at Exeter and Petite Margot, pulled up in the Southern National at Fontwell last month, is also engaged at the west country track. Fine By Me is 19lb higher in the weights than when successful in last year's race but did win again over C&D in March and can't be discounted, while Chico Time is chasing a hat-trick after victories here and at Market Rasen. But this looks a good opportunity for ARNOLD LAYNE, winner of the race in 2007 and ridiculously well handicapped on his best form, to go one better than at Leicester last time.
C'Monthehammers (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, headed 6th, led again after next to 4 out, soon driven and outpaced, ridden after next, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Ashfield's Dream (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Omix D'or (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, jumped right and hit 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Bellflower Boy (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Fine By Me (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Badly hampered 1st, behind, mistake next, well behind when pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Rebel Melody (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Petite Margot 15-2 (10-4) Held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 11th, reminders after 14th, outpaced before 4 out, headway from 3 out, in 4th and well held when pulled up before last, in a race won by Peut Etre Sivola (10-4) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Pancake (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Led until jumped slowy 3rd, pressed winner, led 9th until 11th, mistake 14th, not fluent next, weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, 27l behind Ovthenight (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Silver Bay 12-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 42l behind Fit To Drive (11-9) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Prominent, led 2nd until 5th, with leader, hit 12th, ridden after 14th, switched right when hit last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Backfromthecongo (11-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Chico Time (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up, headway to chase leader 15th, ridden 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov beating Rudinero (10-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
September Moon 28-1 (10-1) With leader, not fluent 3rd, lost place after 5th, struggling after, well behind before 8th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Bellflower Boy (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
