Verdict

We will side with Sir Oj in this good race, with others making it onto the shortlist being Fondmort, My Will and Europa. Fondmort loves it here and, even though he has been raised five pounds for his latest course and distance win, you cannot rule him out of calculations. My Will is probably good value for his current rating and, dropping back in trip from his last two runs, is respected. Celtic Son has yet to build on his impressive Wincanton win in November, but would hold claims if getting it together again, but Seebald, despite holding very good claims based on his pre-November 2004 form, has not looked so good lately. Ratings revisions bring the winner, Sir Oj, fifth, Europa, and sixth, Redemption, closer together from their course and distance 'Robin Cook' runs, although we still favour Sir Oj to come out on top again - but only just from Europa, who looks competitively weighted and who is respected. Risk Accessor is capable of running well from his current rating, while Quazar is now five pounds below the mark from which he won over course and distance in April. Finally, from a stable in form, Schuh Shine comes here in good heart following his smooth Haydock success and is respected but, for the selection, we return to Sir Oj.

Formwatch

Fondmort (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Close up, led from 5th, ridden last, fading flat, held on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs beating Too Forward (10-9) by 3/4l, 13 ran.

My Will (FR) 11-4fav (10-4) Held up, chased leaders when hit 4 out and next, no impression when mistake last, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Therealbandit (9-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Dec.

Celtic Son (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along from after 2nd, lost touch approaching 9th, 4th of 6, well behind Justified (11-12) at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs.

Seebald (GER) 33-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Jazz d'Estruval (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Dec.

Sir Oj (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 13th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead close home, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec beating Le Passing (10-9) by 1l, 16 ran.

See You Sometime 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed 5th, weakened 5 out, 10th of 13, 49l behind Fondmort (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs.

Europa 16-1 (10-4) Ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on, never reached leaders, 5th of 16, 11l behind Sir Oj (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec.

Risk Accessor (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Held up, mid-division when slipped up at the 4th in race won by Sir Oj (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec, 16 ran.

Redemption 8-1 (10-8) Held up rear, headway when mistake 3 out, ridden from last, one pace, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Fondmort (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs.

Quazar (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Fondmort (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs, 13 ran.

Schuh Shine (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Made all, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Barton Nic (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.

A Glass In Thyne (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, pecked 14th, 3rd when mistake 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 7th of 16, 20l behind Innox (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov.

Halexy (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up, headway after 3 out, disputing 3rd when fell 2 out in race won by Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov, 23 ran.

Lease Back (FR) Evensjt-fav (11-0) Prominent, headway to lead 7th, clear on bit 3 out, easily, won at N Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gs in May beating Boulevardofdreams (11-2) by 12l, 7 ran.