MAGE D'ESTRUVAL does not win too often but a good test at this distance should see him in a favourable light. He was probably entitled to need his comeback effort at Market Rasen - although he was beaten a fair distance at the line, it was over half a mile shorter so a return to three miles is right up his street. The Big Canadian is an obvious danger as he seems to be in good heart after his latest effort at Bangor. He tries this sort of trip again and should go well. Shifting Alliance was just edged out last time at Hereford and gets weight all round while Alfie's Sun is worth a second glance in the betting market as his shrewd trainer does well with the few horses he campaigns over obstacles. Pontiff could be better than he has shown so far but has clearly had his problems and the form of his stable remains a bit of a concern. So it is Mage d'Estruval who earns the selection in a trappy contest.
Freddies Return (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 7th, effort approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 15, 21l behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec '07.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Prominent, chased leader 11th, led 13th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 30l behind Wizard of Edge (10-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Mage d'Estruval (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led until after 1st, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 9, 30l behind Corlande (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Alfie's Sun 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 16, 35l behind Basic Fact (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec '07.
Chopneyev (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader to 10th, weakened from next, well beaten when blundered 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lidjo De Rouge (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Jolejoker 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, hit 5 out, soon ridden, mistake next, every chance 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 11, 7l behind Notabotheronme (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
The Big Canadian (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) With leader, led 11th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Firth Of Forth (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft.
Alfadora 7-1 (10-10) Held up, jumped left throughout, headway 8th, weakened 12th, 5th of 8, well behind Wizard of Edge (10-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Pontiff (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Chased leaders early, struggling and behind from 4th, 11th of 14, well behind Rathcor (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Shifting Alliance (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Led from 3rd, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind National Petition (9-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
