Verdict

Heathcote has talent and no problem with the ground, however he may struggle to concede 13lbs to the potentially smart SUPER FORMEN who gets the vote accordingly. Paul Nicholls' gelding was not disgraced last time behind Punchestowns at Cheltenham and his previous third behind Crack Away Jack on heavy ground here reads well. He is likely to have been well-schooled for this chase debut and with the stable in better form and receiving the weight-for-age allowance, the five-year-old can oblige. Heathcote's penalties leave him looking vulnerable but the yard have some good Novices in the yard and he cannot be readily dismissed, along with fellow recent winner Gauvain who was a very easy winner at Lingfield in November. Oscar Bay has the blinkers on for the first time and his level of form reads fairly well regardless, whilst Black Beauty returns to the track after a period off and he had some smart form when trained over in Ireland. Stumped represents a trainer in good form and completes the line-up, however it is Super Formen who can come to the fore.

Formwatch

Heathcote 9-4 (11-5) Raced wide, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, closed and went 2nd soon after 2 out, good jump last, quickened to lead final 100 yards, won at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec beating Jigsaw Dancer (11-5) by 1/2l,.

Oscar Bay (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Led, hung left, reminders after 4th, headed after 7th, ridden to lead 10th, headed after 11th, kept on same pace from 4 out, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.

Gauvain (GER) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked clear leader, closed up 5th, led soon after 8th, clear before 3 out, unchallenged after, eased flat, won at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Back Among Friends (11-0) by 13l, 7 ran.

Black Beauty 13-2 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra in 4th before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind Mister Benedictine (11-3) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl gd in Oct '07.

Stumped 50-1 (11-0) Held up, behind from 6th, 5th of 6, well behind Panjo Bere (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs.

Super Formen (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, went second 7th, ridden when not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 19, 26l behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.