Verdict

An ultra consistent affair is in the offing, with many in with a shout including the topweight Restless Wind. Toby Balding's 10-year-old seemed to have put his jumping problems behind him when beating Spinofski convincingly at Kempton at the start of November, but was ultimately disappointing here at Ludlow and last time at Taunton. The ability is there but will he use it this time? Channahrlie must be exasperating for connections, chalking up five consecutive seconds this term, but he remains not badly handicapped on his best form and is a banker for the frame. Indian Gunner has only tried this sort of trip once, and that was over hurdles, when he finished well beaten at Catterick, in contrast to Southerndown, who will definitely stay but who is being reeled in by the handicapper. Deliceo is interesting and gets our vote on the strength of the fine turn of foot he displayed when scoring over shorter at Hereford two runs ago. Not helped by being hampered last time at Leicester, Matt Sheppard's charge should get every yard of this trip as he has won at stiff Towcester over two and threequarter miles in past. Deliceo owes connections nothing and can help pay the Christmas expenses here.