Verdict

An open handicap in which recent winner Kilty Storm gets the nod ahead of old-timer Ebony Light and the even older Mr Dow Jones. The selection stayed on well to win at Sedgefield on similar ground, and whilst that was just a beginners chase, and as a lightly raced sort, he could have some improvement in him to defy his current mark of 125. His stable is in fine form at present and so he gets the vote. Mr Dow Jones will be at home in this ground as he has proven in winning three of his last five races, however he is paying for those victories and looks slightly high in the weights now. At 15 it is doubtful that he has much more improvement in him. Grand servant Ebony Light ran well at this time last year, and running off a mark miles below his best, he could be able to pop up again if back on song. Of the rest, Moorlands Again has the ability and is back to a winning mark so must be on the shortlist, whilst Jimmy Tennis must recover from a poor run last time out at Ludlow. Kilty Storm has ticks in all the right boxes though, so he gets the tentative vote.

Formwatch

Kilty Storm (IRE) 4-7fav (11-6) Made all, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov chs (4) hvy in Dec beating Noir Et Vert (11-6) by 4l, 7 ran.

Strike Back (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, lost touch 3 out, behind when hampered last, 5th of 8, 24l behind Avitta (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.

Mr Dow Jones (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, driven along from 16th, lost touch 4 out, 4th of 7, 45l behind Latimer's Place (11-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.

Ebony Light (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) With leader until stumbled 6th, tracked leaders, reminders after 10th, weakened 13th, 9th of 14, well behind Kandjar D'allier (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.

Jimmy Tennis (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden, effort when blundered badly 13th, beaten when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Touch Closer (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.

Moorlands Again 11-1 (11-1) Led to 11th, outpaced approaching 15th, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 24l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.

Ironside (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) With leader, stumbled 9th, mistake and outpaced from 15th, stayed on from last, 5th of 14, 26l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.

Jaloux d'Estruval (FR) 66-1 (10-3) Mid-division, hit 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 14th, 8th of 14, well behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.