Bobcatbilly has a good strike rate but weakened quickly when tried in this grade at Ascot last time and eventually finished well behind the hard-pulling Mister Grez. Dan Skelton's charge may do best of that pair again but recent course and distance second Al Alfa makes more appeal and easy Wincanton winner Saint Raph also enters calculations. The consistent Granville Island, Simply Wings and Five Star Wilsham are others to consider while No Buts ran well for a long way in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham last time, though is probably a few pounds too high at present. BENNYS MIST was second in the Topham at Aintree last year off today's mark and recent rain is very much in his favour. He should give a good account as he led until two out in this last year when carrying 2lb more.
No Buts 13-2 (11-3) Prominent, not fluent 8th, ridden 12th, losing place when fell 4 out, in a race won by Niceonefrankie (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Bennys Mist (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Pressed leaders, went 2nd 5th, led and hit next, clear before 13th, headed 4 out, chased leader, led again 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed betwen last two, lost 2nd at the last, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 18l behind Le Reve (10-13) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Benefit Cut (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, pushed along and weakened from 10th, pulled up, in a race won by Tenor Nivernais (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Granville Island (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 8 out and soon lost place, headway before 4 out, soon went 2nd, left in lead 2 out, soon ridden, hung bady right run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Midnight Belle (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Jan.
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, 44l behind Rebel Rebellion (10-11) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Mister Grez (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Chased leaders on inside, bumped 4 out, pushed along after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 14l behind Rebel Rebellion (10-11) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Simply Wings (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along before omitted 3 out, well held when went right 2 out, left modest 3rd at the last, 3rd of 11, 44l behind Saint Raph (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan.
Westward Point 9-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 8th led 4 out, clear and jumped left 2 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec '13 beating Dreams Of Milan (11-3) by 8l, 8 ran.
Al Alfa 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led 13th, headed 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Camping Ground (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft.
Saint Raph (FR) 6-1 (10-2) Chased leader, led and hit 5th, made rest, 1 length ahead when left well clear last, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan beating Tolkeins Tango (10-9) by 34l, 11 ran.
Five Star Wilsham (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Always behind, 5th of 7, 14l behind Camping Ground (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft.
Rouge Et Blanc (FR) 7-2fav (10-4) Tracked leaders went 2nd at 9th, led approaching 4 out, ridden 3 lengths clear before last, no extra when pressed and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Foxbridge (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.