Three course and distance winners in the race - Red Guard, Strong Magic and the likeable Rufius. The last-named still looks reasonably handicapped on the back of a good Cheltenham win and gets the vote. Red Guard runs from the same mark as his c/d win on 15 January but might be vulnerable off topweight even though the cheekpieces seem to have helped him. Mistletoe looks held, but not by a great deal, by the selection on a form line through Paxford Jack. Random Harvest certainly has claims on the best of his form (won from a mark of 120 - now 111 - in December 2001) but is no spring chicken now. Monsieur Tagel has won here and has been dropped 4lbs for a good second to Cape Stormer last time. Indian Chance is entitled to be improving over fences while Keltic Heritage (also a course winner) is a long way off first choice here. Impertio is not easy to win with but is dropping in the weights, Suspendid has had his problems, while King Of Sparta is very well handicapped on the best of his form and is the type that could spring a surprise if in the mood. Strong Magic is very consistent but has become tricky to win with.
