BENVOLIO will most probably start a short price to follow up his recent win at Newbury. Paul Nicholls' charge is a previous winner in heavy ground and has plenty in hand with Kasbadali on today's terms. The latter opened his account over fences when successful in good going over track and trip in November. Bathwick Brave's recent fifth at Towcester was better than his first attempt at chasing but he still looks up against it in this.
Benvolio (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) With leader, awkward 6th, led 11th, mistake and headed 3 out, pressed leader and soon ridden, led again next, driven and stayed on well to assert flat, won at Newbury 3m (3) gs in Dec beating Midnight Prayer (10-11) by 2l, 7 ran.
Kasbadali (FR) 5-1 (10-8) With leader, led approaching 4 out, headed next, rallied last, kept on under pressure to lead close home, stayed on gamely, won at Exeter 3m (3) gd in Nov beating Ballytober (10-6) by nk, 4 ran.
Bathwick Brave (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 8th, close up 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 27l behind Baby Shine (10-7) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
