Abuelo appears to have little chance here unless something extraordinary happens while the lack of a recent run is a bit of a concern for supporters of Algernon Pazham, though he was a decent sort over hurdles last winter and could be even better over fences. Tango De Juilley looked promising when beating River Maigue on his fencing bow but was then beaten in a four-runner race at Plumpton before finding one too good over a longer trip in a handicap at Wincanton. He has to give 5lb to SAIL BY THE SEA, who was entitled to need his run behind Grumeti at Plumpton but led until the second-last and jumped well in the main. He'll strip fitter here so gets the nod.
Tango De Juilley (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to lead 5th, headed next, led again 8th, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Filbert (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
Algernon Pazham (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Always prominent, led when not fluent 5th, headed and not fluent 7th, soon led again, not fluent 3 out, jockey having problems with reins on bend when headed before 2 out, went right and bumped rival last, carried left and led flat, held on, won at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Walk On Al (11-9) by nk, 7 ran.
Sail By The Sea (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Grumeti (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
Abuelo (FR) 200-1 (10-8) Held up behind, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, tired when fell 2 out, in a race won by Josses Hill (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (4) gd, 6 ran.
