Verdict

Shakalakaboomboom won over C&D last month and is likely to be up with the pace from the outset again today. Probably still on a decent mark, the six-year-old has to go on the short-list along with Glenwood Knight, who had a good record over hurdles last season and will have learned plenty from his second at Hexham. Our Bob had good form in Ireland but has been a little disappointing since joining Philip Hobbs and more interesting is Forget It, who won over C&D on his fencing bow and looks as though he's going to be a better chaser than hurdler. But we'll take a chance on LLAMA FARMER, who ran a lot better than the bare facts suggest on his chasing debut at Newbury and may have been let in lightly here.

Formwatch

Sarando 16-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, lost place 5th, soon in rear, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 50l behind Medermit (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs.

Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Jumped well, led 2nd, made rest, in command 3 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Calusa Caldera (11-1) by 7l, 6 ran.

Our Bob (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Led, narrow lead when blundered last, soon headed, weakened flat, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Born Again (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Nov.

Gee Dee Nen 12-1 (11-8) Led, not fluent and headed 10th, ridden approaching next, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 38l behind Bouggler (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Nov.

Swansbrook (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 2nd and 5th, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 14th of 18, 41l behind Red Harbour (10-11) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.

Mexican Pete 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th, weakened from 3 out, went 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Smuglin (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.

Glenwood Knight (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Left in lead 1st, made most after until ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Best Lover (10-11) at Hexham 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.

Sambulando (FR) 9-4fav (11-9) Tracked leader 2nd until 9th, challenging when blundered 3 out, soon one pace, last of 5, 19l behind Betabob (10-0) at Ffos Las 2m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.

Quasar d'Oudairies (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair, close 3rd when hampered and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Dee Ee Williams (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov, 3 ran.

Llama Farmer 8-1 (11-10) Chased leading trio, went 3rd 10th, jumped slowly and lost 3rd 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 45l behind Little George (11-5) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.

Factotum 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear, reminders 6th, mistake 7th, tailed off 9th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Fine Parchment (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gd, 17 ran.

Forget It 13-2 (11-12) Held up in 6th, headway to track leader 4 out, challenged next, every chance when hit 2 out, soon ridden, 3 lengths down last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov beating Solitary Palm (10-12) by 1l, 7 ran.

Royal Collonges (FR) 7-2fav (11-12) Led, not fluent 5th, blundered and narrowly headed 14th, led narrowly again next, mistake and headed 4 out, weakened and hit 2 out, 5th of 10, 20l behind Teddy's Reflection (11-9) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.

Anquetta (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up, no impression after 4 out, 4th of 7, 35l behind Rebel Du Maquis (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Nov.