In the opener, Jurado gets the vote with possibly Romany Dream and Serpentine Rock set to prove best of the rest. Conceivably well-weighted on the best of his Irish form, Jurado made a pleasing British debut last time over course and distance and can build on that today. No Visibility showed promise last time on his return from a long absence and is at least dropping in the weights, while Serpentine Rock was beaten from his revised mark last time but is still potentially interesting. Romany Dream is interesting as she is consistent and a five-pounds rise for her latest win does not seem overly excessive. Jacks Craic is weighted to just beat Serpentine Rock based on Exeter November form. Another Joker is now edging back towards a winning mark of just over a year ago so should be given some thought, while Executive Decision is decently-weighted on his best 2003 form, but lacks a run since March. Laurier d'Estruval ended last season on a high but has something to prove from a revised mark now, Polished has more to than when scoring at Uttoxeter, but is entitled to thought, and finally, Wild Power is very well-weighted based on winning form of just over a year ago and is tried in a first-time tongue-tie today. However, for the selection, we will stick with Jurado.
Serpentine Rock 11-4fav (11-2) Prominent, slow jump 6th, with winner 10th, ridden 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, finished tired, 4th of 7, 21l behind Noisetine (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) hvy.
Jurado Express (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leader to 5th, remained handy, chased winner when jumped left 4 out and next, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Master Rex (11-9) at Windsor 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov '04.
No Visibility (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 10th, headway when not fluent 5 out, stayed on to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Noisetine (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) hvy.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Keen, chased winner to 5th, in touch until weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Noisetine (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) hvy, 7 ran.
Another Joker 10-1 (11-0) Led until headed soon after 9th, stayed handy until weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Schuh Shine (10-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Nov.
Executive Decision (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden after 9th, headway 2 out, hung left approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Old Marsh (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Laurier d'Estruval (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Led 1st, mistake and headed 2nd, ridden when left 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, kept on, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Mar beating The Leader (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Polished 13-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch, jumped left 9th and 10th, led 2 out, hit last, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Melford (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Romany Dream 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, soon edged left, ran on, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov beating Jupon Vert (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Wild Power (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, well behind Jolly Boy (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
