Verdict

MINELLA BOYS can land an trappy looking opener, and is marginally preferred to Brewery Man and Cave Hill. The selection is a proven stayer in soft going; just how heavy the course will be remains to be seen, but he should be able to cope. He was a little one paced when coming second at Uttoxeter last time out, but should still be too good for many, if not all of these. He gains weight from top weight Cave Hill, for whom the step up in trip may be a negative. He's not recaptured his form of two years ago when an Irish point to point success was followed up with a win in a Hereford bumper. This is his second outing for Malcolm Jefferson, and the drop down from a handicap to a novices race may improve his chances of being first home. Brewery Man steps up in trip which looks a plus, after running second in a pipe-opener at Bangor last time out. Again, there shouldn't be concerns about the going. That trio are likely to figure at the top of the market, with our preference being for Minella Boys.

Formwatch

Cave Hill (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, effort 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.

Minella Boys (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) In touch, chased leader 6th, led 7th, headed 2 out, hung left approaching last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Mortimers Cross (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.

Lockstown 33-1 (11-0) In touch to 2f out, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 26l behind Ockey de Neulliac (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) sft in Nov.

Capybara (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 3 out, ridden, one pace from next, 4th of 10, 15l behind Aces Four (11-6) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Apr '06.

Bewery Man (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) In rear, headway on outer over 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Faversham (11-8) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Nov.

Waterford (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 3 out, driven and pulled up 2 out in race won by Nicozetto (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.

Polobury 9-2 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, outpaced from 2 out, stayed on from last, no impression, 4th of 7, 7l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.

Almond Court (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, raced wide, blundered 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Letterpress (10-12) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.

Sammy Spiderman 11-8fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway and going well when tried to run out and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Cooldine Lad (11-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.

Hickory Lane 9-2fav (10-7) With leader, led 3rd, soon clear, headed after 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 10, 16l behind Solway Sunset (11-6) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.

Miss Colima 200-1 (10-2) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Calin Royal (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.

Janal (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place and reminders 6th, no danger after, 9th of 12, 19l behind Kings Maiden (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Nov.

Destiny Hill 5-1 (10-10) Held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon edged left, no impression, 4th of 10, 16l behind Solway Sunset (11-6) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.