HOCKENHEIM is our pick with Pangbourne and Matcho Pierji sure to give good accounts. Howard Johnson's charge was somewhat unfortunate to come up against Tot O' Whiskey in his latest start at Carlisle. That effort represented a step in the right direction and his handicap mark of 119 seems fair on balance. Pangbourne represents a very much in-form yard. He acts on the surface though is reluctantly opposed this afternoon as he has tended to need his first run back in the past. Jonjo O'Neill has two entries and Matcho Pierji is probably the pick. A winner of a hurdles contest at Wetherby, the trip should pose few problems. Orki des Aigles was last seen when struggling in the Highland National. Glacial Delight returns from a sizeable absence whilst Santando is finally coming down the weights after a number of poor efforts. Victory Gunner is a known course specialist so is one to note closely in the market. A fair race and Hockenheim is our idea of the winner.
Pangbourne (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders approaching 2nd, led next, blundered badly 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 15, 25l behind River Reine (9-11) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Hockenheim (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed when blundered last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Tot O'Whiskey (10-12) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Oct.
Glacial Delight (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Behind, mistake 11th, lost touch from next, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Harry's Dream (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct '06.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 6th, challenged 2 out, hard ridden after last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb beating Kealshore Lad (11-10) by a nk, 7 ran.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden 17th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 25l behind Tana River (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
Santando 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 9th of 14, 27l behind Bill's Echo (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Firth Of Forth (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Held up, headway to go in touch approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened next, last of 10, 33l behind The Gangerman (10-10) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Oct.
Dasher Reilly (USA) 15-2 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway when hampered 6th, in touch when brought down 3 out in race won by Malakiya (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (4) gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Orki Des Aigles (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Towards rear, reminders 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Laertes (11-5) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr, 18 ran.
Alfadora 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, badly hampered 8th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Bally Conn (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct, 21 ran.
Bushido (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 27l behind Ngong Hills (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
