Snake Charmer can land this at the expense of Willie Pep and Faversham. The selection caught the eye when second to Kingscourt Lad around here over slightly further. That was an improved effort from his debut and with further improvement still to come then he is the one horse in the race to stay on the right side of. Willie Pep failed to score with a penalty at Kempton last time out after winning at Uttoxeter the time before. He has obvious ability and was good enough to win a bumper last winter but it does remain to be seen whether or not he can win with a penalty. Faversham won one race on the flat last year but the handicapper failed to ever give him a chance thereafter. His hurdles career comprises of two fair efforts but was behind the selection here last time out and will find it tough to reverse the placings. So for the winner we return to Snake Charmer.
Willie Pep (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, mistake and weakened 2 out, 5th of 18, 17l behind Mount Oscar (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden along and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Buccellati (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk 0-85 (3) gf in Sept (Flat).
Colton 7-1 (11-9) Jumped right, raced keenly, led, ridden and headed on bend approaching 2 out where hampered, one pace after, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Sir Haydn (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Faversham 5-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 16l behind Kingscourt Lad (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf.
Favouring (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, held up in rear, lost touch after 4th, mistakes 3 out and 2 out, 5th of 7, 40l behind Sir Haydn (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
La Estrella (USA) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened from 8th, 9th of 14, 25l behind All Noble (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 28-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, driven along after 7th, soon weakened, last of 8, 47l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Pagan Sword 28-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 9th of 18, 21l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Led, set strong pace, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next, 9th of 15, well behind Mendosino (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Quick Judgement (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) In rear, never nearer, 8th of 11, 47l behind The Cayterers (10-9) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Rawdon (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 18, well behind Sir Monty (11-5) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Snake Charmer 8-1 (10-12) In touch, chased winner before 3 out until after next, ridden and stayed on to regain 2nd flat, 2nd of 17, 7l behind Kingscourt Lad (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf.
The Posh Nipper 200-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 5th and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Star Player (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Ticket To Freedom (NZ) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, no headway from 3 out, 11th of 18, 25l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Petrovka (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) With leader, led before 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Thehonourablelady (11-2) at Doncaster 2m mrs hcp hdl (3) gf.
Topflight Wildbird 12-1 (8-7) In touch, effort 3f out, 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 12th of 16, 15l behind Dark Energy (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
