Verdict

The three we have focused on here are Harris Bay, Another Native and King Barry, with the vote going to Harris Bay. A tie-forward operation seems to have done the trick for Harris Bay judged on his Sandown win and, even under a seven-pounds penalty, he has to be fully respected here. King Barry was well-regarded in the pointing fields before chipping a knee and he is an interesting contender, while Predestine had also been out of action before his latest fair run behind Dun Doire, having looked very promising in 2004, although he is closely weighted with Avadi on a recent run and we prefer others, including Another Native, who won well over course and distance last time. He has to be seriously considered, in fact it was a spin of a coin that saw Harris Bay selected.

Formwatch

Harris Bay 9-4fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway to track leader 10th, led approaching 2 out, hit last, stayed on flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft beating Supreme Tadgh (11-2) by 3l, 5 ran.

King Barry (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Always prominent, ridden 2 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (F) gd beating Lord Payne (11-0) by 3/4l, 16 ran.

Predestine (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, kept on flat, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 19l behind Dun Doire (10-1) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) sft.

Another Native (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 11th, chased leader 3 out, ridden after last, led 100 yards from finish, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft beating Itsuptoharry (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.

Bannister Lane 40-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along 10th, weakened next, 5th of 6, 30l behind Nadover (10-7) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (D) hvy.

Algarve 2-1fav (10-5) Tracked leader until approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 10, 27l behind Another Native (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft.

Avadi (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) In touch, hampered 2nd, led 4 out, hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 19l behind Dun Doire (10-1) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) sft.