Verdict

As you would expect, an excellent race for very good prize-money and the shortlist contains Risk Accessor and Ladalko, but the vote goes to Too Forward. Backbeat looked to have improvement in him when making a pleasing return at Huntingdon last time and ought to be able to win from his current mark. Risk Accessor was a good second to Direct Flight in a valuable Newcastle handicap two runs ago and remains well-weighted on his best 2004 form. Too Forward looked one to stay on the right side of when beating Graphic Approach last time and has to be shortlisted and, as we say, he gets our vote here. Ladalko could still be very well-handicapped based on his hurdling form and he too looked one to follow when scooting up at Newbury last time, so is very much respected. Finally, Tribal Venture showed improvement at Doncaster last time and should have a race in him from his current mark, it is good to see Irish Hussar back on the course but he will probably need the run, and Kadarann has dropped to an interesting mark and he runs in a tongue-tie today. However, for the selection, we return to Too Forward.

Formwatch

Irish Hussar (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 20, 3 1/2l behind Kelami (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.

Limerick Boy (GER) 9-4 (11-10) Led to 1st, prominent, switched right 9th, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Mixsterthetrixster (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (C) gd in Apr, 6 ran.

Kadarann (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Behind from 5th, 9th of 11, well behind Monkerhostin (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.

Backbeat (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistakes, led 7th, blundered 14th, headed next, led again after 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Run For Paddy (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Oct.

Duncliffe 33-1 (11-7) Prominent when fell at the 8th in race won by Iris Bleu (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Nov, 12 ran.

Baron Windrush 7-2fav (11-3) Held up, pushed along after 4th, headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 28l behind Forest Gunner (10-10) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Feb.

Risk Accessor (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Held up, mid-division when slipped up at the 4th in race won by Sir Oj (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs, 16 ran.

Too Forward (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) In touch, led and hit 13th, drew clear from 2 out, heavily eased run-in, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Nov beating Graphic Approach (11-12) by 5l, 10 ran.

Graphic Approach (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, hit 6th, blundered 9th, hit 13th, headway to chase leaders next, ridden after 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Too Forward (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Nov.

Tribal Venture (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Led, blundered and headed 12th, soon outpaced, ridden 3 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind You're Special (10-9) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gs.

Distant Thunder (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up, hit 12th, headway on outside approaching 5 out, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Trabolgan (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Nov, 19 ran.

Ladalko (FR) 7-2 (11-11) Held up, headway 11th, led 4 out, drew well clear before last, eased run-in, won at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Nov beating Shalako (11-0) by 5l, 11 ran.

Halexy (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up, headway after 3 out, disputing 3rd when fell 2 out in race won by Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov, 23 ran.

Supreme Catch (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, lost touch 9th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Native Ivy (11-11) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft in Nov '04, 10 ran.