PETERS STAR is the pick with The Snail and Gunnadoit worthy of respect. Donald McCain's charge is not the prettiest of performers but he is resolute and seems to appreciate a thorough test of stamina in gluepot conditions. He has all of these in his favour and that might be enough in this contest. The Snail has belatedly hit form though has risen up the handicap accordingly. Jamie Tudor has ridden him to victory previously although he will be unable to take off the 5lb that he is able to claim against the professional riders. Gunnadoit has rarely been seen on testing going though has ran well on it previously. Neil King has booked one of the more exciting riders of her generation this afternoon. Thedeboftheyear was produced on the line to take a share of the spoils at Taunton. The bookies are unlikely to offer double figure odds on this occasion. Key Cutter is unproven under conditions so is reluctantly left. Ramvaswani continues to frustrate his unflinching but increasingly potless band of supporters. Strath Gallant won races on the flat for Dermot Weld but has moved to Suzy Smith having made little impact with Richard Guest. Peters Star can plod his way to victory on this occasion.
Thedeboftheyear 16-1 (10-10) Keen early, mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, effort 3 out, ridden next, stayed on well under pressure flat to dead heat post, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec deadheating with Deep Pockets (10-10), 11 ran.
Peters Star (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) In touch, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 8th of 13, well behind Winterwood (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Key Cutter (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, ridden approaching next, led 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Stoop To Conquer (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
The Snail 11-8fav (10-11) Led to 6th, led 8th to 10th, led 13th, just held on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Ballabrook (9-12) by ns, 7 ran.
Strath Gallant 10-1 (10-9) Led, mistake 3rd, soon headed, remained prominent, weakened after 7th, mistake 3 out, last of 11, 43l behind I Hear A Symphony (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Gunnadoit (USA) 28-1 (10-9) Close up, lost place and outpaced 4 out, headway 3 out, one pace 2 out, 4th of 13, 15l behind Winterwood (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Cool Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 4th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Prince Geeno (11-9) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Nathan Dee 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, hit last, 5th of 9, 18l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Ramvaswani (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led, under pressure 6th, soon headed, weakened 4 out, 4th of 9, 46l behind Vivarini (10-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Anglican (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Mistakes, always behind, lost touch and pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Rapid Increase (11-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Soon ridden in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 31l behind Roisin's Prince (10-12) at Towcester 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Nov.
