Verdict

Fencote Gold gets the nod in a trappy handicap with Media Man and Loch Oscaig two of the likelier challengers. Peter Beaumont's charge left his previous form behind with a bold front running display at Bangor and he could be hard to pass if granted a soft lead here. That wasn't the strongest of races and an 8lb higher mark leaves him with more to do but he may prove up to the task. Media Man has proved himself to be a consistent performer but is climbing the weights in defeat and a bigger danger could be the free running Loch Oscaig who went close over course and distance last time. He has another 2lbs to carry today but should go close if he handles the ground. Support for either Tom's Toybox or St Pancras on their chase debuts would be worth noting but, at this stage of proceedings, Fencote Gold is taken to land the spoils.

Formwatch

Tom's Toybox 9-2 (11-12) In touch until lost place from 7th, 6th of 8, well behind Roschal (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.

Loch Oscaig 7-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on approaching last, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Blast The Past (11-1) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Dec.

Media man (IRE) 3-1fav (10-11) Led, headed after 2 out, rallied last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Whatcanyasay (9-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.

St Pancras (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Led, headed after 2nd, left in lead next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 34l behind The Bonus King (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Aug '06.

Topwell 11-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, outpaced when hit 4 out, 4th and no chance when blundered last, 4th of 5, 25l behind Our Jasper (11-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Dec.

Toulouse Express (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 7th, 10th of 17, well behind Lago (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f amt hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.

Fencote Gold 4-1 (10-5) Made all, ridden approaching last, held on towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov beating Kentmere (11-12) by 1l, 8 ran.

Ballinruane (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Divex (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gf in Dec, 14 ran.

Cuccinello (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 14, 50l behind Thievery (10-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.