This looks to be a battle of the Welsh as Tim Vaughan saddles SUN QUEST and Evan Williams sending out Just Like That with the former getting the vote while Stridant could spoil the party for both of them. Tim Vaughan is in the form of his life at the moment and his Midas touch had an immediate effect on Sun Quest as the gelding won on his debut for the Welsh trainer. That success was in a very similar race and capped a consistent run of form that can have Vaughan back in the now familiar winner¿s enclosure. Just Like That appears to be a bit of a handful at times having hit the deck in two of his last three starts. When he's not on his back he's usually in contention and he's fitted with a visor for the first time so if that has the desired effect then he has more than a chance. Stridant isn't fancied on the betting forecast but has been consistent enough over obstacles in five starts. A winner on the level in Germany at the beginning of October this is his debut for a new yard and he could surprise many here. Nils Anderson won a novice event at Newton Abbott at the start of the season and must be respected in this company while a if Book Of Facts can continues last season's form after a break he'll be close but the verdict belongs to Sun Quest.
Nils Anderson (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Always in rear, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Charming Oscar (10-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 11 ran.
Sun Quest 6-4fav (10-12) Raced keenly in touch, headway after 3 out, led and not fluent last, quickened clear, pushed out, won at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (5) sft beating Devito (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Barati (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up, behind from 8th, 10th of 12, well behind High Jack (11-3) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Bering de Lauriere (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Celticello (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft.
Book of Facts (FR) 7-1 (10-3) Slowly away, behind, under pressure 4 out, tailed off when eased 2 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind Donaldson (10-8) at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Eastern Dagger 66-1 (10-0) Mistake and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Sexy Rexy (11-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Just Like That 13-8fav (10-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway from 3 out, shaken up and close 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Chunky Lad (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Mapledurham (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 13th of 15, well behind Hibiki (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Power Elite (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 13, 46l behind Oldrik (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Strident (USA) (11-5) 5th of 13, 19l behind Imminent Victory (10-8) at Krefeld 2m 1f hcp chs hvy in Nov.
Thethirdoftheforth (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Mid-division, headway in 8th approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 14th of 20, 29l behind Imperial Hills (10-8) at Punchestown 2m nov hcp hdl hvy in Nov.
Tizzy May (FR) 11-2 (11-2) In touch, chased winner after 4 out until hit 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, 4th of 15, 12l behind Admiral (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Feb '05.
Beshairt 80-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 6th of 13, 8l behind Sun Quest (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (5) sft.
Giddywell 9-2 (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dream of Olwyn (9-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) hvy in Oct (Flat).
Nona 12-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden and mistake 8th, lost touch before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Christdalo (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb '07, 6 ran.
Steprow 66-1 (10-4) In touch and keen, weakened 8f out, 11th of 16, well behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Nov.
