On paper, this looks a match between Ben's Folly and LIKE MINDED. Preference is just for the latter, who is bred to be a chaser and had the higher rating of the pair over hurdles. He again ran well when third over the smaller obstacles at Kempton on Boxing Day and is Paul Nicholls' only runner at the meeting. Tim Vaughan's charge can't be dismissed out of hand, however, as he's already had a run over fences and only found Gotyourplay too strong at Newbury. Royal And Ancient has hinted at ability but Finnegans Rainbow looks well out of his depth.
Ben's Folly (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside,hit 5th and 12th, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, pushed left and hit rail flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Gotoyourplay (11-2) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Finnegans Rainbow 50-1 (9-7) Behind, tailed off when pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Doberdan (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Like Minded 11-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged next, every chance when bumped between last 2, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Knight Pass (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Royal And Ancient (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, blundered 11th, went 3rd 5 out, blundered 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 44l behind Maggio (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (5) gs in Dec.
