Royal Shakespeare gets the nod now reverting to hurdles despite the burden of top-weight; Kings Quay, Bureaucrat and French Opera make it to what could easily be a rather lengthy shortlist. The selection looks sure to be a tempting double-figure price and for a proven course winner that could be generous. Steve Gollings' gelding has been running fairly well over fences of late and should be suited by the ground. He looks well-handicapped on old form and is fancied to defy top-weight. There are a plethora of dangers; arguably headed by Kings Quay who is a talented performer under both flat and jumps codes. The drop in trip that he takes today looks sure to suit. Traprain comes here in form and chases the hat-trick, whilst Culcabock could be danger lurking at the lower end of the weights. Folk Tune is just out of the handicap proper but looks progressive, whilst French Opera and Bureaucrat are both consistent and each should run their usual solid races. Annie's Answer won well last time, as did Dhehdaah who steps up in class. Osako D'Airy has a preferred engagement elsewhere but if he were to take up this alternative he must be respected, however his stablemate Royal Shakespeare is the one we return to for the selection.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 10-1 (11-5) In touch until ridden and weakened 11th, 6th of 8, 14l behind Howle Hill (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Kings Quay 16-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden after 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Hardy Eustace (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Annie's Answer (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, challenged 2 out, soon hung left, edged left flat, led towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m mrs lst nov hdl (1) gf in Nov beating Gaspara (11-2) by a shd, 5 ran.
Bureaucrat 6-1 (11-11) In touch, went 2nd when jumped left 2 out, led and jumped left last, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Nov beating Kickahead (10-13) by 2l, 8 ran.
French Opera 5-4fav (11-6) Chased winner, led narrowly 4th, joined 2 out, soon driven, headed before last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Deep Purple (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst nov hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
Dhehdaah 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leader until 3rd, outpaced 5th, headway 2 out, every chance last, driven to lead flat, all out, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Backstage (11-3) by a hd, 6 ran.
Priors Dale 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 15, 44l behind Bambi De L'orme (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Buster Hyvonen (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 22, 27l behind Kings Quay (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Traprain (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, led 3 out, clear last, ran on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Nov beating Hernando's Boy (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Magic Sky (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, in touch, hit 8th, headway went 2nd and not fluent 3 out until soon after 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Osako D'airy (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, effort to lead before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy beating Coda Agency (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Classic Gold (GER) 2-1 (11-4) Close up, hit 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, just held on, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) frm in Nov beating Boot 'n Toot (10-5) by a shd, 6 ran.
Dancing Lyra 16-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 4 out, held when blundered last, 6th of 15, 12l behind Souffleur (10-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Culcabock (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct beating Idarah (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Folk Tune (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, staying on when not much room approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Roman Villa (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Motive (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Towards rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 24l behind Culcabock (10-6) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Sun King 6-4fav (11-1) Held up, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Red Sun (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Kickahead (USA) 10-3 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up and behind, headway when not much room 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, not trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Bureaucrat (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Nov.
Pilca (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 20l behind Roman Villa (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
