Verdict

Frank The Slink and Puyol looks up against i, but there's not much between the remaining trio. Bunclody won over fences at Haydock last month at the first time of asking and should run his usual solid race, but Tiptoeaway lost his way a little over longer trips after scoring over 2m4f at Newcastle in November. He may do better back over today's distance but preference is for MAC AEDA. He won under similar conditions over C&D last month when beating previous winner Trustan Times by five lengths and Malcolm Jefferson's charge can continue his progress by following up here.

Formwatch

Bunclody 7-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, 6 lengths down when slightly hampered and left well clear 4 out, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m nov chs (2) hvy in Dec beating Lady Willa (10-0) by 13l, 3 ran.

Mac Aeda 11-1 (10-13) Held up in 4th, went 2nd before 4 out, led after 2 out, clear last, ridden out flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec beating Trustan Times (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.

Tiptoeaway (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, outpaced 5 out, never able to challenge, 5th of 6, 27l behind Loose Preformer (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.

Frank The Slink 33-1 (11-0) Held up 5th and last, reminders after 4th, ridden and outpaced after 8th, never near leaders, 4th of 5, 16l behind Empress Orchid (10-4) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (5) sft in Dec.

Puyol (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) With leader, mistake 2nd, outpaced 5 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 46l behind Maggio (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (5) gs in Dec.