Verdict

Celtic Son has an obvious chance to beat the handicapper although Monolith and Loup Charter should provide stout opposition. It is no surprise to see this useful bumper horse turned out under a penalty after a decisive victory at Exeter and provided that the horse has felt no ill effects - the remainder will need to be at the top of their game to concede weight all around. Monolith has done little wrong but he is unproven on the surface and he has gone up another 5lb for a recent near-miss at Wetherby. Trevor Hemmings' representatives should be respected at Haydock and Loup Charter heads here in good heart following a recent success at Windsor. There are no ground concerns on this occasion. Hat-trick seeking Hot Weld will make a lovely chaser next term but has not been overfaced during two wins and the handicapper has been relatively fair upping him 10lb for those two recent successes. A Few Bob Back is well in vis-a-vis his best form but his supporters have endured something of a losing run. A fair race where Celtic Son can prove his Exeter success to be no fluke.