Babe Heffron can be a potent front-running force when allowed too much rope but after his laboured effort last time we'll side with GAORA LANE ahead of Midnight Chase. Our selection was narrowly denied off 5lbs lower last time but the pair pulled clear of a reasonable field, so as that came here under identical conditions we're prepared to give the horse the chance to atone. Midnight Chase carries top weight but a mark of 127 seems fair judging by his brave efforts in defeat behind smart novices. He's won on heavy ground and over this trip so might just rate a bit of value if anywhere near the predicted SP of 4/1 in a race that isn't particularly strong. Babe Heffron has climbed the ratings in defeat of late and will need a career best to score, although when things click there's no doubt he can win off this sort of mark. He'll need to jump with more fluency to take this contest but should he do that and jockey Sam Thomas is able to secure an uncontested lead there's a chance he'll go close. Vodka Brook has the latent ability to take this contest and a close third to Bakbenscher in December reads particularly well and would indeed make him tough to beat, but he's unseated the last twice and backers will be clinging to the hope that a return to this course sparks some improvement. We're not prepared to pay to find our, nor are we prepared to side with Haar who was pulled up in similar company last time. Gaora Lane is the horse with the fewest questions to answer in this contest and is selected accordingly.
Midnight Chase 16-1 (11-1) In touch, mistake 3rd, slightly hampered 5th, blundered 10th, badly outpaced 4 out, hit next, staying on one pace when left modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Jan.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, every chance bypassing omitted 3 out, disputing, beaten 2nd when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by King's Forest (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs, 6 ran.
Gaora Lane (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Made most until narrowly headed 5 out, 3 lengths 2nd and looking held when left in lead 3 out, joined 2 out, kept on gamely from last, led last strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Haar 25-1 (10-12) Mistakes in rear, tailed off 9th, pulled before 13th, in a race won by Latanier (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov stks (3) gs, 8 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 15-2 (11-0) Held up, pushed along and quickly weakened 3rd, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Babe Heffron (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Led to 5th, led after next until before omitted 3 out, 4th when hampered and left 3rd 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Montgermont (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
