Verdict

Elixir De Nutz was a smart hurdler but didn’t look a natural jumper of fences when runner-up to Le Patriote at Hereford, though his yard is in better form now. Kalooki was pulled up in the Kauto Star at Kempton over Christmas but this is more his level, though Bold Plan arguably should have his measure on his defeat of The Big Breakway here. CHANTRY HOUSE impressed on his chasing bow at Ascot but was no match for Fusil Raffles and Lieutenant Rocco at Cheltenham next time. He still has time of his side, however, and is probably the class act in this. Galahad Quest is improving and may be best of the rest with One For Rosie, Ey Up Rocky and Samarquand all returning from an absence.

Formwatch

Bold Plan (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, moved into 2nd before 4 out, close up 2 out, upsides last, led flat, ran on strongly, won at Exeter 2m 3f (2) sft in Dec beating The Big Breakaway (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.

Chantry House (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) Chased leaders, niggled along 9th, not fluent and pushed along 11th, not fluent 13th, mistake 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out until before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 4, 13 3/4l behind Fusil Raffles (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.

Kalooki (GER) 12-1 (11-7) Jumped left, chased leaders out wide, went 2nd 4th, led before 7th, headed 11th, led again approaching next, went badly left and headed 13th, blundered next, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.

Beyond Supremacy (IRE) 150-1 (10-3) Prominent until ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 13, 15 1/2l behind Ruby Yeats (11-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.

Elixir De Nutz (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Led, ridden slightly and pressed 3 out, headed soon after, left second 2 out but no extra, 2nd of 5, 15l behind Le Patriote (11-5) at Hereford 2m (3) sft in Dec.

Ey Up Rocky 11-1 (11-10) Held up in last trio, good headway tracking leaders approaching 3 out, 2nd before led last, pushed readily clear run-in, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Eva's Oskar (11-0) by 5l, 12 ran.

One For Rosie 11-2 (11-10) Never that fluent, chased leaders on inside, mistakes 1st and next, mistake 3 out, left in well held 4th when mistake and hampered last, weakened run-in, 6th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Dorking Boy (10-2) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Samarquand 11-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 9th and pushed along, headway 3 out, no impression, left modest 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Legal Eyes (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Oct.

Sixteen Letters (IRE) 6-5fav (12-0) (cp) (tt) hdwy 12; went 2nd 14; kpt on 2 out; nt rch wnr, 2nd of 9, nk behind Curious Carlos (12-0) at Badbury Rings 3m sft in Feb.

Tip Top Mountain (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 18, 32 1/2l behind Patroclus (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.

Galahad Quest (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Close up in rear, left 3rd at 8th, ridden and mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 12 1/2l behind Silver Hallmark (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.