Medicinal looks the pick of the two Paul Nicholls runners in this race ahead of Hoo La Baloo and has every chance judged by his good win at Haydock in November but a 10lb rise for that success looks harsh and preference is for the hat-trick seeking LORIENT EXPRESS, who gets the vote with Marodima rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has won his last two starts in good fashion, a 6lb rise for the latest of them is perfectly fair and despite this being a better race, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding is taken to continue winning ways. Boomshakalaka has run creditably in both starts this term but could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Philip Hobbs saddles two runners in Lord Henry and I Hear A Symphony with the former seemingly too high in the weights, the latter looks to have the better claims having lost no caste in defeat behind Jonjo O'Neill's Good Company at Haydock last time. Marodima has shown a decent level of form over both fences and hurdles of late and has solid claims back in the UK having disappointed at Limerick last time but marginal preference is for the in-form Lorient Express.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 11-1 (11-8) Held up behind, steady headway from 25th, effort after 2 out, one pace from last, 5th of 16, 16l behind Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov.
Lord Henry (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased winner to 7th, last when hit 4 out, stayed on again after 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 7, 8l behind Fiepes Shuffle (11-0) at Kempton 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Marodima (FR) Evensfav (11-9) Led and clear, hit 3rd, slight mistake 5th, reduced lead 3 out, headed into straight, no impression in 3rd and kept on same pace from between last 2, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Finger Onthe Pulse (11-1) at Limerick 2m 1f chs Grd 3 sft in Oc.
Medicinal (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 5 out, hit 3 out, led next, hit last, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov beating Something Wells (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Foreman (GER) 15-2 (11-2) In rear, ridden and no impression from 4 out, 7th of 10, 50l behind Kerryhead Windfarm (10-11) at Killarney 2m 5f chs gd in May.
Oneway (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Master Medic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Palarshan (FR) 7-2fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, under pressure 3 out, some headway next, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 16l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Killaghy Castle (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 11th, weakend approaching 4 out, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Aces Four (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr '07, 10 ran.
Boomshakalaka (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 3 out, effort next, edged right approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Master Medic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Keepthedreamalive 25-1 (11-7) Chased leader, lost place and outpaced 5th, ridden after 7th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Private Be (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) sft in Dec.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (10-12) Held up in touch, led 3 out until stumbled and headed next, weakened after last, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Good Company (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Lorient Express (FR) 13-8fav (11-13) Made all, went clear on bit after 4 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Roofing Spirit (11-12) by 25l, 5 ran.
