Verdict

Notanotherdonkey, Manbow and Catch The Perk appear the trio to concentrate upon in this competitive affair and Notanotherdonkey is the pick. The selection fenced well at Wetherby and looks an improving stayer in the making. He beat Manbow on that occasion, and given that Micky Hammond's charge is a repeat course-and-distance winner at that track, he should be capable of confirming form at this. Catch The Perk is a likeable sort. He seldom runs a bad race and his yard are in good form. The handicapper needs to drop him a few pounds before he will be winning again. Iris Royal is perhaps a light of his former days although Charlie Longsdon has made a habit of rejuvenating the careers of a number of veterans. Willies Way is relatively unexposed and his form with Arnold Layne reads well, especially in the light of a subsequent success for Caroline Bailey's horse. Notanotherdonkey still looks ahead of the handicapper and can pick up another prize.

Formwatch

Iris Royal (FR) 9-1 (10-13) In touch, hit 12th and never going well after, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov, 13 ran.

Classic Capers 8-1 (11-9) Close up, mistake 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Delray Beach (10-6) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.

Catch The Perk (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, left in front after 11th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, led again 2 out, kept on gamely, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.

Manbow (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 4 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Notanotherdonkey (9-12) at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.

Art Virginia (FR) 40-1 (10-3) Soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind King Harald (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.

Willies Way 17-2 (11-2) In rear, driven along 13th, headway 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, challenged and every chance soon after, 3 lengths down and held when mistake last, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Arnold Layne (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) gd in Nov.

Notanotherdonkey (IRE) 15-8fav (9-12) Led from 1st, soon clear until 11th, headed 4 out ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Nov beating Manbow (11-2) by 2l, 5 ran.

Opus Cafe (FR) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 7th, went 2nd 9th, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, 5th of 14, 26l behind Ibberton (10-4) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.

Inland Run (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, headway 5th, weakened after 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Silver Dagger (10-2) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun '06, 13 ran.