Verdict

You could make a case for just about any of these, but we'll side with the bottom weight TWELVE PACES, in preference to Standin Obligation and Oscar Honey. Peter Monteith's gelding is one of five course and or distance winners in the field. The slog in testing conditions shouldn't pose any problems, but he can be inconsistent. He needed rousting along to win here over hurdles on his penultimate run, and subsequently finished second in a lower grade race than this next time out. He comes here well in at the weights, but he's against better rivals than previously. Standin Obligation is the versatile type, and has his first outing since April when he was pulled up. That may have been too quick a return though after previously winning here. He's consistent too, with four wins and as many placings from 12 chase outings, and is likely to be well supported. He's joint top weight with Oscar Honey, who's only once finished out of the frame while chasing. He's having his second run for the stable, and returns to chasing after a hurdling second here last month, when sent off favourite. A number here may be well supported, but our backing goes to Twelve Paces.

Formwatch

Standin Obligation (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Jumped left, behind and early reminders, struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Eric's Charm (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Apr, 18 ran.

Oscar Honey (IRE) 11-8fav (10-9) Led until after 1st, chased clear winner, challenged when hit 2 out, edged left and not quicken from last, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Whisky Magic (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.

Newman Des Plages (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Held up, outpaced after 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, well behind Serabad (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.

Scarvagh Diamond (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Held up, reminders after 8th, struggling from next, 6th of 7, well behind Companero (11-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.

King Barry (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Close up, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Hidden Bounty (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.

More Likely 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and went poor 2nd last, 2nd of 9, 19l behind Hello Bud (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.

Open de L'Isle (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, one pace, 5th of 18, 14l behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.

Chickapeakray 17-2 (10-8) Soon tracking leaders, challenged after 3 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.

Jimmy Bond 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure, no impression flat, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.

Twelve Paces 15-8fav (9-8) Held up, steady headway from 10th, chased winner approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Companero (11-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.