Lizzie Kelly's claim has proved an asset this season but she couldn't claim when Aubusson was third in the Long Walk at Ascot last month - the top weight has a better chance in this. Dolatulo is better known as a chaser nowadays but did win the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day so arrives in terrific form while Zeroshadesofgrey rattled up a hat-trick before finishing third at Cheltenham. Ambion Wood and Ely Brown are returning from lay-offs but Speed Master could have each-way claims if he stays. KNIGHT OF NOIR has gone very close in two runs at Cheltenham this season. The final of this race will be his aim in March but he is worthy of support today given his overall form on an easy surface.
Aubusson (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked winner, hit 4th, mistake and lost 2nd 3 out, ridden readily outpaced and no chance with leading duo before 2 out, kept on to hold 3rd, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Reve De Sivola (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec.
Dolatulo (FR) 14-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec beating Cape Tribulation (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, led 100 yards out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Rolling Maul (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Zeroeshadesofgrey (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch in mid-division, closed 7th, ridden and every chance after 2 out, 3rd and beaten when faltered after last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Thomas Brown (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Ambion Wood (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Always prominent, jumped right 5th, not fluent 10th, led 2 out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd in Jun '13 beating Cock And Hen (11-0) by 2l, 4 ran.
Ely Brown (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Led until after 4th, led 7th until after next, mistake 11th, mistake and lost placed 13th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind O'Faolains Boy (11-0) at Ascot 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Kasbadali (FR) 11-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 11th, under pressure after 4 out, jumped right next, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Tales Of Milan (10-8) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.
Speed Master (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway after 7th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, unable to trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Fishing Bridge (10-2) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Touch Back (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Fell 1st, in a race won by Smiles For Miles (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, fell 6th, in a race won by Rolling Maul (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs, 10 ran.
