GRANDOUET has the edge in experience over his rivals and, though penalised for his win in France in April, looks the one to beat here. There was no disgrace in finding the smart Sam Winner too good at Cheltenham last time and he finished a long way in front of Domtaline when fifth in a Listed contest at Wetherby previously. Ffos Las winner First Fandango has more on his plate here but can't be ignored and looks a better bet that Call To Arms, beaten a long way in both starts over timber, and newcomer Mark Twain, who was a miler on the Flat.
Grandouet (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, steady headway before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon no chance with impressive winner, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 15, 15l behind Sam Winner (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Domtaline (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Led to 3rd, led again 4th, headed 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 13, 38l behind Maoi Chinn Tire (10-12) at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gd in Oct.
First Fandango 2-7fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, chased leader and hit 3 out, edged left and led last, ridden out, won at Ffos Las 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Killusty Fancy (10-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Admission 7-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 3rd, ridden after 3 out, soon well beaten, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Tiptronic (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Battleoftrafalgar 7-2 (9-6) Led for 1f, tracked leader, weakened over 3f out, last of 9, 14l behind Kiss A Prince (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol (flat).
Call To Arms (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Prominent when jumped right 1st, soon pulled hard in touch, chased clear leader after next, soon no impression, 2nd of 8, 23l behind Marsh Warbler (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Finch Flyer (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Took keen hold, led until 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, well behind Zakeeta (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Lamps 50-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 4th, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Smad Place (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Mark Twain (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Medicinal Compound (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct (flat).
Professeur Emery (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led, clear approaching 2nd, headed after 3 out, 4th and beaten last, 4th of 16, 11l behind Third Intention (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd.
