Theformismighty should have learned plenty from his first run under Rules at Aintree. Howaya Now fell on his chasing bow four weeks ago but previous form over hurdles reads well and he has already achieved a rating of 116. Useful in bumpers, BOB BOB RICARD (NAP) may well have justified favouritism on his hurdles bow at Wetherby but for being stopped in his tracks by a blunder at the last. Compensation awaits here if lessons have been learned. Monbari is another with plenty of scope and the booking of Brian Hughes is hardly a negative.
Bob Bob Ricard (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Led until slow 1st, chased leader, jumped left 2nd, led approaching 3 out, hard pressed when blundered badly last, headed and not recover, 2nd of 11, 9 1/2l behind My Chiquita (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Monbari (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Personal Ambition (10-13) at Warwick 2m 3f (4) sft in Nov.
Theformismighty 6-1 (11-4) In rear, shaken up rounding home turn, ridden along bypassing usual 2 out, kept on run-in but never near to challenge, 5th of 11, 18l behind Inthewaterside (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (3) gs in Oct.
Howaya Now (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, awkward 4th, mistake 10th, went 2nd at 12th and chased clear leader thereafter, not fluent 3 out, well held by leader when fell 2 out, at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
