Verdict

FLIGHT COMMAND can provide another winner for Charlie Mann and he is selected ahead of Sycho Fred and Julius Caesar. The selection won well last time out when he was given a confident ride in seeing off Iris's Prince. He looks to be on a fair mark at present and although that was his first win since 2005, he looks set to go in again. Sycho Fred landed a gamble when he beat Jemez over this course and distance last time out. A reproduction of that effort should see him competitive, although he does look to have more on his plate this afternoon. Julius Caesar has not won since 2005 but he ran well at Wetherby last time out after dropping in the ratings and he could be a dangerously well handicapped horse. The Randy Bishop won well last time and the yard are shrewd so a watching brief on the market is advised. A competitive handicap chase and we will side with Flight Command as the one to beat.

Formwatch

Chickapeakray 4-1 (11-6) In touch, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 6l behind More Likely (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f mrs hcp chs (3) hvy in Dec.

Vedelle (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Mid-division until 12th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mistress Nell (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 18 ran.

The Randy Bishop 8-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, ridden and edged left flat, kept on towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Guns And Butter (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.

Julius Caesar 8-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 11th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 14l behind Ellerslie George (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.

Flight Command 6-1 (11-3) In touch, headway 10th, challenged on bit 3 out, led 2 out, shaken up and ran on flat, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov beating Iris's Prince (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.

Jonny's Kick 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Orki Des Aigles (10-6) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.

Tarabaloo 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on under pressure from last, no impression with 1st, 3rd of 9, 6l behind The Randy Bishop (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.

Cross Compliance (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Awkward 1st, mid-division, headway 12th, ridden in 3rd when mistake 5 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Notabotheronme (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.

Anchor Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 10th, plugged on, 6th of 13, 37l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.

Jemez (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, reminders and lost place 8th, hit next, headway under pressure after 4 out, challenged next, no impression when mistake and left 2nd last, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Sycho Fred (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.

Salhood 8-1 (11-5) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 36l behind Mattaking (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.

Sycho Fred (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Held up behind, headway 4 out, joined leaders next, soon led, left clear last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Jemez (11-3) by 9l, 11 ran.

Curly Spencer (IRE) 11-4 (10-0) Chased leader, led 15th, blundered 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, last of 5, well behind Mr Dow Jones (11-3) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec '06.