Verdict

This is the richest race on the card, and one that looks wide open, and could be the one in which Tony McCoy hits the 3,000 mark of winners if successful earlier in the day and then home first on Cromwell Court, but we favour the claims of STUMPED ahead of Sa Suffit and the McCain runner. All bar Sa Suffitt have won over course and or distance; Cromwell Court and Sa Suffitt may find that giving weight proves too big a handicap in these conditions. Both are stepping up in grade too following victories last time out, and both will undoubtedly have their supporters. Stumped hasn't won for more than a year, and was well down the field in a class one at Ascot last month. He relishes this sort of ground though, and the drop in grade is a positive together with his having plenty in hand at the weights of some of his rivals. Sotovik is an interesting runner for Alistair Whillans. He's been off the track for more than two years, and is making his chase debut. A success over hurdles when there's been plenty of cut in the ground, any market support should be noted. Plenty here have chances, but our preference is for Stumped.

Formwatch

Cromwell Court 11-8fav (10-12) Prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, clear approaching last, won at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Dancer's Serenade (10-12) by 13l, 5 ran.

Quicuyo (GER) 4-1 (11-4) Led to 3 out, weakened approaching last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Cromwell Court (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.

Sa Suffit (FR) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, driven 3 out, ridden and rallied flat, stayed on strongly to lead near finish, won at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Jan beating Osolomio (11-0) by a nk, 16 ran.

Bougoure (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, headway to join leader 10th, led before 3 out, hit last, soon headed and weakened, 4th of 8, 8l behind My Turn Now (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sept.

Sotovik (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up in touch and raced keen, hit 5th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind Piraeus (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec '06.

Storymaker 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 5th and in touch when blundered 9th, did not recover, 9th of 12, well behind Auroras Encore (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.

Stumped 50-1 (11-0) Held up, behind from 6th, 5th of 6, well behind Panjo Bere (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.

Pistol Basc (FR) 50-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders and fell at the 3rd in race won by Cromwell Court (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.

Pendle Forest (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Raced wide, always towards rear, 15th of 20, well behind Elite Land (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.