Verdict

Canal Bank has been much improved this season, beating Hobb's Dream over C&D in October and winning off a higher mark at Exeter last month. He's been raised another 6lb since but can't be left out of calculations. Kitley Hassle stays well but, like the frustrating Tuskar Rock, remains a maiden while Kathleens Pride hasn't raced over fences for more than three years. Prince Massini's record over fences in this country is abysmal so we are coming down in favour of NOTABOTHERONME. With the weights being compacted Philip Hobbs' nine-year-old, accustomed to racing against much better opposition, isn't as badly treated as first appears and will be all the better for his run at Cheltenham in November. - he's a lot more resolute than stablemate Pancake.

Formwatch

Notabotheronme (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place after 11th, no danger and towards rear after, 7th of 12, 15l behind Rustarix (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.

Pancake (FR) 17-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 12, 44l behind C'monthehammers (11-10) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.

Shaking Hands (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Led, hit 7th and joined, pecked 9th, bumped next, hit 14th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, 1 length down in 2nd and looked held when fell last, in a race won by Rebel Melody (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 6 ran.

Sexy Rexy (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Mistake 1st, soon pushed along in mid-division, ridden and edged right after 4th, no impression after 8th, 6th of 15, 40l behind Mister Hyde (11-1) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.

Kathleens Pride (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Raced wide, made all, hit 8th, not fluent 9th, joined when not fluent 3 out, driven and stayed on gamely flat, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Five Star Wilsham (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.

Kitley Hassle 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, chased leaders after 9th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and effort next, kept on under pressure, no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 5l behind C'monthehammers (11-10) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.

Canal Bank (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up in touch on outside, headway to go 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon upsides, led flat, driven out, won at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Topless (11-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.

Our Columbus (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, 10th of 16, 36l behind Pride In Battle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Dec.

Tuskar Rock (FR) 13-2 (11-2) Led to 3rd, tracked leader to 12th, in touch, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 45l behind Honourable Arthur (10-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.

Skipper's Lad (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Behind when hampered 1st, under pressure 10th, soon beaten, 10th of 12, well behind Rey Nacarado (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.

Victory Gunner (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Chased leader, jumped slow 3rd, ridden and lost place 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Lydon House (11-10) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp ch 0-125 (3) gd in Jun, 7 ran.

Prince Massini (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, stumbled on bend approaching 5th, led 6th, headed before 8th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Phare Isle (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.

Hobb's Dream (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Mid-division, headway 7th, left 2nd 10th, led and jumped left from 3 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy beating Huckleberry (9-11) by 24l, 11 ran.