De Boitron ran well on his reappearance when a fair third behind Crocodiles Rock at Market Rasen last month and Ferdy Murphy's gelding has to be respected following that effort on ground that suits but Richard Lee has his runners in good form now and it may be worth siding with ALMAYDAN, who gets the verdict ahead of Open de L'Isle. James Ewart's gelding has won his last two starts over hurdles at Carlisle and Hexham and reverts to fences off the same mark that he won off on the latter occasion so he has to be respected on ground that suits. Tim Easterby's Lease Lend has been running well this term but there is a suspicion that he may now be too high in the weights following his win at Newcastle last month, while Emma Lavelle's Suntini has harshly been raised 10lbs for his win at Lingfield last time and this looks tougher. Sue Smith's Camden George is capable but inconsistent and a better bet looks to be Almaydan. Richard Lee's gelding may not be as good as he looked like he was going to be but is still capable of fair form and, having run encouragingly on his reappearance and with the stable in form, he looks worth another chance to gain a deserved success.
Zacharova (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden 10th, weakened next, soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 15th, in a race won by The Package (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) sft, 12 ran.
Almaydan 9-1 (11-8) Made most until headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Sa Suffit (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
Brave Rebellion 40-1 (10-0) Headway after 2 out, hung right and weakened from last, 4th of 5, 30l behind Money Trix (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (2) sft.
Camden George (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up, pushed along after 5 out, weakened from next, 7th of 8, 33l behind Le Roi Rouge (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Made all, driven out, won at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy beating Leac An Scail (10-5) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Lease Lend 2-1fav (11-9) Held up, hit 4th, chased winner approaching 4 out, one pace from last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Kilkenny All Star (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Suntini (GER) 3-1 (11-12) In touch in 5th, headway to 3rd 4 out, 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, driven to draw clear flat, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Babe Heffron (11-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
De Boitron (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Chased clear leaders, went third 10th, driven and kept on from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Forty Five (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Jumped right 1st, always in rear, 9th of 13, 30l behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
