Verdict

A disappointing small field of just four set to face the starter, and all are likely to have their backers, but we'll be siding with BOLD RANSOM. He looks like he's taking to jumping the bigger fences after winning over hurdles in a stamina sapper at Newcastle over 3 miles, so we wouldn't have concerns about him getting the trip either in the mud. Mr Preacher Man has won here over this distance, and more recently at Perth, both over hurdles though. It's perhaps worth noting that those only career victories have ome following a break. Classic Chic is making his chase debut. He's not really progressed as hoped after breaking his maiden over hurdles, but that was perhaps down to going up the weights too quickly. High Bird Humphrey is the first runner under rules for the West yard, and is perhaps racing off an ungenerous mark, but on level weights here could be competitive. You could make a case for any of them, but we'll support Bold Ransom.

Formwatch

Bold Ransom (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Led to 2nd, led again 4th, headed approaching 6th, weakened 6 out, 3rd of 4, well behind Killyglen (11-4) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.

Classic Chic 15-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Whatdoidowiththat (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.

High Bird Humphrey 5-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 8l behind Hernando's Boy (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.

Mr Preacher Man 7-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 11th, chasing leaders when fell 5 out in race won by King Barry (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.