General Gossip, Harrovian and The Merry Mason are three to concentrate on here and the vote is given to General Gossip. The selection won well last time at Newcastle and he again has conditions to suit today. He remains unexposed over fences and as he looks to be on an upward curve so he should take plenty of beating. Harrovian will be suited by the return to this longer trip and he will also appreciate this softer surface. He was disappointing last time but he had excuses as he didn't have his optimum conditions that day. The Merry Mason was pulled-up in this grade last time when he was never travelling and although he has got the form to win this, he is best on a faster surface and for that reason we will take him on. Harry Hooly looks to be punching above his weight and is hard to fancy and for the winner we return to the progressive General Gossip.
General Gossip (IRE) 15-8fav Chased leaders, went 2nd at the 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy in Feb beating Toulon Rouge by 19l, 4 ran.
Harrovian 15-8fav Held up in rear, headway halfway, chased winner when not fluent 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind King's Bounty at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Feb.
Harry Hooly 6-1 Towards rear, lost touch halfway, 5th of 10, 41l behind Super Sammy at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Feb.
The Merry Mason (IRE) 9-4 Tracked leaders until hit 4th and lost place, hit next, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Strong Resolve at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
