Verdict

This looks an open event and from a shortlist of BOLD RANSOM, Camden George and Cromwell Court we will side with the former. Bold Ransom jumped really well on his first try over fences last time out and on the evidence of that his turn should not be far away. He wasn't beaten far behind a decent yardstick in Skippers Brig and he should go close. Camden George clearly has the ability to win a race of this nature but his jumping was far from fluent at Wetherby last time and it is questionable whether this step-up in trip will suit. Cromwell Court proved he sees out this trip last time and he looks to be going the right way so he is entitled to make the frame. Special Envoy is hard to recommend with the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard going through a quiet spell, and a safer bet looks to be Bold Ransom who is our pick.

Formwatch

Bold Ransom (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Close up, led after 3rd, headed last, one pace and lost 2nd last 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.

Camden George (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, blundered 1st, led approaching 4 out, ridden and under pressure 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2l behind The Duke's Speech (11-0) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.

Cromwell Court 4-1 (11-2) Tendency to jump right, led until after 3rd, led 8th to 10th, hung left approaching 3 out, weakened before last, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Galant Nuit (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.

Keen Warrior 14-1 (10-9) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway and in touch 5th, 3rd and no impression went hit last, 5th of 9, 8l behind The Randy Bishop (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.

Soixante (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Led, went right 9th, joined and ridden when fell 2 out in race won by Panjo Bere (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Nov, 5 ran.

Space Mission (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance from last, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Its A Dream (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.

Special Envoy (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Led until after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 5, 49l behind Kicks For Free (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Oct.

Uptown Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, blundered 6th, soon lost place, 7th of 13, 38l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-11) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) gd in May '06.