It can pay to side with BAMBY in the finale; the list of dangers is headed by Doctor Robert and Karmadice. Sue Smith's mare wasn't beaten far at Carllisle last month when she chased home Open De L'Isle. She was returning from a break that day so she should come on plenty for the run and with ground conditions to her liking she looks to have a big chance. Doctor Robert is another that will relish the ground and he is a viable alternative. He has been in good form but he has been creeping up the handicap as a consequence and he may have to play second fiddle to our choice. Karmadice was as little disappointing over the chase fences last time but he has got some solid recent form over hurdles and back over timber he is worth considering. Rosbay has been placed in three of his six starts over hurdles so it would not be a surprise to see Tim Easterby's 5-year-old claim some prize money. Front Rank will go on the ground but he has gone off the boil and he is hard to fancy. We will therefore return to Bamby as the choice.
King In Waiting (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Behind, pushed along and mistake 3rd, pulled up before last, tailed off, in a race won by Open de L'Isle (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy, 13 ran.
Front Rank (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 32l behind Cassius (11-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Doctor Robert 7-2 (11-3) Held up, improved to track leaders 5th, ridden to chase leader briefly approaching 2 out, hit last and one pace, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Kashmina (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Karmadice 8-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out to 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 10l behind April San (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (5) sft in Nov.
Wizard of Us 28-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place 4 out, soon behind, 10th of 11, well behind Still At Lunch (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Rosbay (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, led after 4 out, jumped right 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Washington Irving (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Sendali (FR) 9-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened before next, 6th of 11, 17l behind Catch Bob (10-13) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Switched Off 9-1 (10-5) Held up, struggling 7th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 9, well behind King Fontaine (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft.
Ishismart 8-1 (10-8) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Waldo Winchester (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Always behind, 7th of 10, 39l behind Sumak (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Bamby (IRE) 6-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden next, blundered last when held in 2nd, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Open de L'Isle (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 14-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 31l behind Amir Pasha (11-1) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 3yo+ (5) gs.
