Verdict

ACCORDING TO PETE comes here looking to land a four-timer, and gets our vote to do so, ahead of Cast Iron Casey and Skippers Brig. Malcolm Jefferson's gelding has more than earned his keep and comes back over the bigger fences following further successes over hurdles. He won't mind however muddy it is and he's not giving too much weight away. Hard really to see a negative about him. Cast Iron Casey came from off the pace to win over this trip in similarly testing conditions at Sedgefield last time out, and will no doubt find some supporters. He won't want to be too far off the front here though, given the stiff finish. Prior to that he'd been placed a couple of times here. He has won here over this trip, but over hurdles and when the ground was faster. Skippers Brig won his chase debut last time out, which was his first run out since Cheltenham last year when finishing down the field in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle. It was pretty much a steering job for the jockey, and he jumped well in testing conditions, showing he certainly likes to get his toe in. he looks like one of those that can only get better, and could be the main challenger to our selection, According to Pete.

Formwatch

According To Pete 11-2fav (10-13) Led from 1st, ridden from 2 out, drew clear approaching last, won at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Souffleur (11-12) by 9l, 15 ran.

Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division on inside, headway 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Torkinking (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.

Role On (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, held on gamely from last, won at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Stumped (11-2) by a nk, 11 ran.

Skippers Brig (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, headway when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, driven to lead after last, won at Carlisle 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov beating Andrew Nick (11-8) by 2l, 10 ran.

Anglicisme (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, behind from 5th, 12th of 17, 43l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.

Bold Ransom (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Made virtually all, headed briefly 3 out, ridden last, drew clear flat, won at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan beating Tartan Snow (10-12) by 8l, 16 ran.

Lord Samposin 33-1 (10-11) Disputed lead, blundered 5th, headed 3 out, one pace in 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Palomar (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.

Moyne Pleasure (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) In rear, lost place 4th, soon well behind, 12th of 15, 28l behind Mischief Man (10-7) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.

Sierra Victor (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Behind, never on terms, 7th of 10, well behind Skippers Brig (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.

Silver By Nature 33-1 (11-2) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led 10th, headed before 4 out, ridden to lead again before 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Kealshore Boy (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.

Pendle Forest (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division on outside, good headway and in touch 7th, weakened 3 out, last of 12, 29l behind Kings Maiden (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Nov.