As with many races in this sphere, it often pays to side with a former decent handicap chaser dropping into hunting class and Sonevafushi fits the bill perfectly and gets the vote, with Kausse De Thaix, Abbey Days and Ghadames others to consider. The Venetia Williams-trained selection has contested class one and two chases on a regular basis and won at class three level five times, so at these weights he does look to be a worthy favourite. He comes here in form after a battling success at Wincanton last time and this judge thinks he will follow up. Kausse De Thaix carries the same weight here but is officially rated some 22lb inferior to the selection. He has enjoyed some notable successes and was a winner when last seen on a racecourse at Fakenham in May, but he clearly has a fair bit to find. A more serious threat may come from Ghadames. A course and distance winner some six years ago now, this veteran loves to get his toe in and goes well at this trip. However, he has not been seen since finishing lame at Wincanton last March so it is likely he will need this. Of the others Abbey Days is a course winner and was in form last spring but has not been seen since and the ground is likely to be a problem, while Cordilla has the form to get involved if on a going day, but Sonevafushi looks the part here and gets the confident vote.
Abbey Days (IRE) 3-1 (12-5) Hdwy 10; led bef 2 out; stayed on wl, won at Weston Park 3m ptp sft in Jan beating Tom's Prize (12-5) by 4l, 12 ran.
Cordilla (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up, some headway 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Reap The Reward (10-0) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Ghadames (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up last, lost touch 8th pulled up at the 9th in race won by First Love (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Gielgud 20-1 (10-10) Prominent to 6th, soon behind, 5th of 8, 30l behind Tommy Spar (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 4-1fav (11-7) In touch, pressed leader 10th, hit next, led 13th, headed next, led again 4 out, stayed on, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May beating Herecomestanley (10-6) by 7l, 8 ran.
Sonevafushi (FR) 7-4fav (12-7) Led to 10th, chased leaders, ridden to lead on inside approaching 3 out, hard ridden from last, held on, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs beating Back Nine (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cash In Hand (IRE) (12-0) won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp frm in Apr beating Western Rainbow (12-0) by a nk, 6 ran.
Ifni du Luc (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 15, 36l behind Bee An Bee (10-12) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Mar '04.
