Verdict

A modest opener to the card can go to Fortunate Dave, who has hinted at ability at this sort of level in the past, and he may be too resilient for the quirky Ressource and Musimaro, who head the list of dangers. Green Admirable is another that could go well in this company and is still relatively unexposed after only four previous starts over hurdles. However, he needs to improve on his latest effort at Haydock if he is to figure here and he probably best watched. A better performance is also required from Gladstone Spirit, who unshipped his jockey at the first at Catterick earlier in the month, but he has shaped as if a low-grade contest could go his way in time and he is one to note in running today. Therefore, the shortlist is not too difficult to whittle down to just a handful - with Fortunate Dave just polling the most votes in a narrow call. The Ian Williams-trained five-year-old has been kept ticking over with an outing on the all weather after falling short in much better races than this last December. The ease in grade for today's contest looks a more realistic level for the son of Lear fan and he should have plenty in hand over the likes of Musimaro here. Which leaves the frustrating Ressource to give Fortunate Dave the most to do.