Verdict

GRADUATION NIGHT had Time For Spring, Sound Stage and The Falklander behind when fourth to Hunter's Lodge on his reappearance at Cheltenham. He's been dropped a pound since and there seems no reason why Jamie Snowden's charge shouldn't confirm the form here - he gets the nod. Imperial Circus can only improve on his debut fourth over fences at Wetherby but Old Wigmore, Masked Man, Victoria Rose and Causing Chaos were all pulled up last time, though the latter does have the benefit of a recent run. Bennys Mist got found out off his new mark at Worcester but the longer trip here will help his cause and he shouldn't be abandoned just yet and is preferred to the returning Pensnett Bay.

Formwatch

Old Wigmore (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Chased winner until 9th, weakened quickly next, behind and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Ostland (11-9) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May, 16 ran.

Masked Man (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, lost place 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Triangular (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 12 ran.

Time For Spring (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway on outside 8th, hit 9th, blundered 3 out, left 3rd last, weakened flat, 5th of 17, 16l behind Hunters Lodge (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.

Graduation Night 9-1 (11-9) Led until after 1st, tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, headway after 3 out, went 4th flat, stayed on, 4th of 17, 11l behind Hunters Lodge (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.

Victoria Rose (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In rear, pushed along after 4th, well beaten 4 out, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Lackamon (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Mar, 9 ran.

The Falklander 20-1 (11-3) In touch, not fluent 4th (water), went 2nd after 7th, led and jumped right 11th, not fluent 13th (water), jumped right and headed next, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 17, well behind Hunters Lodge (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.

Causing Chaos (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Chased leaders, pushed along before 9th and reminders, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Very Stylish (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Oct, 10 ran.

Imperial Circus (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader briefly approaching 4 out, soon outpaced, 4th and held when blundered last, 4th of 9, 15l behind African Broadway (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f Beginners Chase (0-125) (4yo+) (3) gs in Oct.

Bennys Mist (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, hampered 4th, headway on outside approaching 9th, ridden after next, stayed on same pace from 3 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 18l behind Golden Chieftain (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.

Sound Stage 20-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, took keen hold, headway 5th, hit 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 6th of 17, 36l behind Hunters Lodge (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.

Aghill (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) In touch in rear, headway 7th, lost place 9th, soon ridden, hit 3 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind El Dancer (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.

Pensnett Bay 7-2 (11-11) Led, not fluent 10th, mistake next, not fluent 2 out, headed last, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Baltic Pathfinder (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.