Verdict

Encounter A Giant has won three times between the flags but faces a stiff task on his debut under Rules. Commodore Barry, four times a winner over hurdles, has been narrowly beaten in both starts at this trip over fences where he's led until the closing stages. GOLAN FORTUNE (NAP) won three times over timber around this time a year ago then was narrowly beaten in a Sandown Grade 3 handicap. He won a Listed handicap at Cheltenham last month and the winning point-to-pointer looks a smart recruit to fences. Sizing At Midnight, a dual winner over hurdles in May, is another making his chasing debut and Tidal Flow, who completed a hurdles double at this time last year, will have come on a bundle for his chasing bow at Ffos Las.

Formwatch

Commodore Barry (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Led, jumped well, sent 6 out, strongly challenged from 4 out, headed approaching last, soon rallied and every chance, stayed on gamely, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Virginia Chick (11-1) at Exeter 3m (2) sft in Nov.

Encounter A Giant (IRE) 13-8 (12-0) A.p; chall 3 out; led bet last 2; r.o wl, won at Bangor-PTP 3m gs in Feb beating Asangy (12-0) by 11l, 6 ran.

Golan Fortune (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, led on long run before 2 out, ridden clear turning in, not fluent last, edged right flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Nov beating Eminent Poet (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.

Sizing At Midnight (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led until 5th, remained prominent, lost place after 4 out, completely tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Dan McGrue (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.

Tidal Flow 5-2fav (11-3) Always prominent, went 2nd briefly 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Poker Play (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 5f (3) sft in Oct.