Verdict

Lord Ragnar landed minor handicaps at Cheltenham and Newbury over timber and is certain to have been well schooled over fences. He's one to watch on his chasing debut though this is a better than average event for the track. Winning point-to-pointer Keel Road did everything right when landing a beginners' chase at Chepstow and a stiff test of stamina is just what she needs while Mostly Bob, a very progressive hurdler last year, was in the process of running a big race on his chasing bow at Newbury when coming to grief at the fourth last. Neither Sandynow nor Sunsalve, both winners between the flags, are out of this but it's PREDICTIVE who gets the vote. Donald McCain's charge didn't have much to beat at Uttoxeter in November but jumped very well for an impressive victory. This is tougher with his penalty but he looks one to follow this season.

Formwatch

Predictive (FR) 4-11fav (11-2) Made all, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Three Chords (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.

Keel Road (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Close up, led 6th, headed 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, regained lead run-in, kept on well, won at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Oct beating Earth Planet (11-4) by 1l, 6 ran.

Lord Ragnar (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, blundered badly next, not recover and pulled up, in a race won by Quartz De Thaix (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr, 11 ran.

Mostly Bob (IRE) 11-2fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway and in touch 13th, challenged after 5 out, every chance when fell next, in a race won by Major Malarkey (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec, 16 ran.

Sandynow (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, not much room and lost lost action briefly after 4th, soon chasing winner, lost 2nd after 9th, blundered 12th, chased winner again before 4 out, no impression after 3 out, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Phidippides (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.

Sunsalve (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Led, came wide entering home straight, headed over 3f out, soon beaten, 4th of 11, 16l behind Seam Of Diamonds (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jun.