Albany gets the vote here with Freetown and Matcho Pierji rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Reel Charmer last time out. Granted he has a penalty for that win but he looks sure to improve again for this longer trip and with his yard continuing in good form he looks the one to be on. Freetown rates the main danger as he is well weighted on his best form and shaped as if a revival was near when fourth behind Malko de Beaumont and he should be watched in the market. Matcho Pierji has the ability to win off this mark but his best form is on better ground. Kealshore Lad was a fair third behind Ballyshan last time and is another with place claims. Red Scally is another that will relish conditions but is hard to win with. Of the others Hidden Bounty travels well but finds little off the bridle but if he turns up he is another that could go well but in a race where few are in good form Albany is our idea of the winner despite top weight.
Albany (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led next, ridden and stayed on well from 2 out, won at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Reel Charmer (11-2) by 5l, 14 ran.
Laertes 11-1 (10-11) Behind, reminders halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Lucky Nellerie (9-12) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Kealshore Lad 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Ballyshan (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Julius Caesar 100-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 13th of 24, 27l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Arrayou (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along and struggling from 7th, 14th of 20, 16l behind Mous Of Men (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Hidden Bounty (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along and lost place 5th, headway 12th, led 3 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Special Conquest (10-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Freetown (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) With leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 18l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Red Scally 9-4 (11-1) Held up, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Colorado Pearl (10-8) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Character Building (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 17th, ridden and went 3rd before 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 18, 19l behind Denman (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Dec.
See You There (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-12) Held up, headway 12th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Special Conquest (10-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 20-1 (9-7) Held up, headway after 8th, mistake 3 out, ridden and held and 4 lengths 4th when blundered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Ballyshan (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Saint Godegrand (FR) 12-1 (10-3) Held up, reminders after 6th, ridden when unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Iwillrememberyou (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Habitual Dancer 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, led approaching 4th, headed 5th, ridden next, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
