Verdict

Tazbar should take the beating although Tot O'Whiskey and Openditch should prove ready rivals. Keith Reveley has made no secret of the regard in which he holds the five-year-old and if he is right, this race could be the stepping stone to better things. Tot O' Whiskey looks ideal for the chasing game. He has been workmanlike over hurdles but he has been found two easy opportunities thus far. Openditch wasn't foot perfect last time out but the ex-pointer looks a nice prospect and cannot be discounted. Kingscourt Lad is not the easiest to predict but will be the benchmark from which this race is judged. Pantalaimon hasn't been the easiest to train by all accounts but had put up some sterling efforts in defeat. Timetwogo can be expected to improve. He could be taken on for the lead on this occasion by Kahrayn. Tazbar can confirm himself as one of the leading novices in the North with a perfect round here.

Formwatch

Tot O'Whiskey 4-11fav (11-5) Led 2nd, made rest, hard ridden flat, held on well, won at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Andytown (10-5) by a nk, 11 ran.

Kingscourt Lad (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) In touch, led after 2nd, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf beating Snake Charmer (10-12) by 7l, 17 ran.

Openditch (FR) 11-10fav (10-12) Held up, not fluent 1st, steady headway 4 out, led on bit approaching last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Kahrayn (10-12) by 3l, 9 ran.

Tazbar (IRE) 4-11fav (10-12) Always prominent, led going well 3 out, drew clear from next, canter, won at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs beating Innominate (10-12) by a distance, 7 ran.

Charlie Crab 11-4 (11-2) Led, ridden over 3f out, hung left and headed over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Corkage (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gf.

Chuquicamata 10-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 22l behind Openditch (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.

Clevermansam 200-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Minaad (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 10 ran.

Hemington 200-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden and 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by Blue Bajan (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf, 14 ran.

Jack London 40-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off over 5f out, 16th of 17, well behind Queen Poline (10-1) at Haydock 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov.

Kahrayn 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, hampered 6th, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Openditch (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.

Killfinnan Castle (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, behind final 6f, last of 16, well behind Run For Moor (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.

Pantalaimon 8-1 (11-2) Led, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 16, 10l behind Carlitos (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gs in Mar.

Quick Judgement (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) In rear, never nearer, 8th of 11, 47l behind The Cayterers (10-9) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.

Shampers 7-1 (10-13) Set moderate pace, ridden and headed 2f out, soon beaten, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gf in Nov.

Timetwogo 20-1 (10-7) In touch and mistakes, weakened from 3 out, 9th of 14, 40l behind Balamory Dan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.

Its Teescomponents (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Made most, headed before 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 17l behind All For The Cause (11-0) at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs.