ETXALAR can land this competitive handicap chase at the main expense of Pamak D'airy and Daldini. The selection arrives here in good form and with ground conditions very much to suit. He finished second behind Skipper's Brig at Ayr earlier in the month and if he can iron out some of the jumping errors that came to the fore that day then he would have a big chance. Pamak D'airy looks the main danger as he won well at Newcastle last time. However, he is pretty exposed over fences and we think there could be a little more to come from our choice. Daldini likes to get his toe in so he will have conditions to his liking here, but his last two runs have been disappointing and others look to have more solid claims. Dawn Ride goes well here but this drop in trip is not sure to play to his strengths. Corlande unseated his rider on his seasonal return at Aintree last month and he may need this run before he is seen at his best. There are plenty in with chances and the vote goes to Extalar.
Etxalar (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Led, stumbled badly and headed 6 out, regained lead and blundered approaching 3 out, headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Skippers Brig (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Oneway (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway from 2 out, kept on well from next, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Robo (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd.
Daldini 25-1 (11-6) In touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 17, 14l behind Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft.
Corlande (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 3rd (chair), in a race won by Dev (10-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place and dropped rear 5th, no danger after, 5th of 7, 40l behind Deep Reflection (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Prominent, led 4 out, kept on well from last, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Et Maintenant (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Woody Valentine (USA) 50-1 (10-6) Held up, pushed along after 4th, soon struggling, 8th of 13, 32l behind Open de L'Isle (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
King Of The Arctic (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up, tracked leaders 5th, outpaced 4 out, 5th of 8, 23l behind Pamak D'airy (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Dawn Ride (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Held up, mistake 11th, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out when badly blundered and unseated rider, in a race won by Flake (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy, 7 ran.
