Verdict

The shortlist is made up of Town Crier, Woody Valentine and Bonny Grey, with the vote going to the first-named. Town Crier is very well handicapped based on his chasing form, including at Newbury last time, and he'll certainly keep on galloping today so is very much respected. Woody Valentine's Cheltenham run from a revised mark was not too bad and he showed on the Flat that he handled soft, while Andre Chenier was still in contention when unseating rider at Wetherby last time, but it is hard to gauge his prospects from his current mark based on that. Farne Isle has a revised mark and an absence to contend with in order to feature, although the going will present her with no problems. Bonny Grey is conceivably well-weighted and could go well, while Haditovski, while not the force of old, might sneak a place. All in all, though, we will stick with Town Crier.

Formwatch

Woody Valentine (USA) 14-1 (10-11) In touch, driven to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened well before last, 4th of 11, 11l behind Motorway (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.

Red Sun 100-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 15th of 19, 26l behind Macs Joy (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in May '04.

Town Crier (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Always prominent, hit 5th, challenged approaching 4 out, led going well approaching 2 out, shaken up flat, readily, won at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov beating Made In Japan (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.

Andre Chenier (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out, ridden when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Ursis (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Oct, 6 ran.

Farne Isle 10-3fav (10-3) Tracked leader, smooth headway to lead 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) hvy in Jun beating Kingkohler (11-2) by 7l, 8 ran.

Bonny Grey 33-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 3l behind Gods Token (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs.

Haditovski 9-2 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Honest Endeavour (10-11) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov.

Presenter (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Behind, mistake 3rd, stayed on from 2 out to be nearest at finish, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Coach Lane (10-11) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy.