Something Silver has had 24 of his 36 career starts on this track and won twice here though he's well held by another course specialist, Sammy Spiderman, on the balance of form. Samson Collonges attracted support at Sedgefield last month though it's difficult to know why and he never got into the argument after early mistakes while Paddys Unyoke has been well beaten recently. Celian made all over 3m1f on heavy ground at Hexham last time and has only been raised 4lb. He'll make a bold bid if in the same mood but has refused in the past and isn't the most reliable. HOLE IN ONE has a bit of scope and has improved with each of her three starts over fences. She is no world-beater but won't need to make much more progress to take this moderate contest.
Something Silver 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, led 11th, blundered 5 out, headed 4 out, blundered 3 out, lost 2nd after last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Soul Angel (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f am hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Sammy Spiderman 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway to get in behind leaders 6th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 8th of 16, 26l behind Crackerjac Boy (9-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Celian (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Made virtually all, clear 10th until jumped slowly 3 out, headed briefly soon after, ridden last, stayed on flat, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec beating Mr Chippy (12-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Also Jo 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, jumped left and not fluent 3rd, mistake 12th, well beaten after 4 out, 7th of 13, 29l behind Sycho Fred (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Paddys Unyoke (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Disputed lead to 6th, chased leaders, pushed along after 11th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Lie Forrit (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Samson Collonges (FR) 11-4fav (9-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along when mistake 12th, well beaten 3 out, 8th of 13, 30l behind Sycho Fred (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
What A Dream 10-1 (10-0) Mid-division, hit 1st, towards rear, some headway 9th, weakened before 6 out, tailed off, soon pulled up, in a race won by Douglas Julian (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Hole In One (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Soon tracked leaders on outside, challenged 8th, led after 4 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, kept on and every chance until no extra towards finish, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Transact (9-11) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
