Verdict

Good Boy Bobby is seeking a hat-trick in veterans’ chases this season but has been raised a further 4lb. Sam Brown has failed to complete in four of his last five starts but is a former Grade 3 winner. Up Helly Aa King and The Galloping Bear are having a first run of the campaign, however, while this trip may be too far for Francky Du Berlais on heavy going. NESTOR PARK is only 1-16 over fences but he’s rarely beaten far and his turn may have come around again after a pipe-opener at Aintree.

Formwatch

Sam Brown 10-1 (11-8) Always behind, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up after 5 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Nov.

The Galloping Bear 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, pushed along before 13th, outpaced and lost place before 18th, well behind when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp (1) sft in Mar.

Good Boy Bobby (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Prominent, led 2nd, slow 3rd, led 14th, clear flat, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov beating De Rasher Counter (11-3) by 2l, 6 ran.

Nestor Park (FR) 4-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden along and every chance after 3 out, ran on from 2 out, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 11, 19 3/4l behind Celebre D'Allen (11-1) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.

Francky Du Berlais (FR) 10-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway stayed on run-in, went modest 4th inside final 150 yards, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 13, 15l behind Foxy Jacks (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.

Up Helly Aa King 7-2fav (11-13) Towards rear, bit closer in mid-division after 7th, pushed along before 4 out, headway into 3rd 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, not fluent last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Flying Verse (10-9) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Mar.