Verdict

This is a trappy affair where a chance can be given to several, but we side with MISTRAL DE LA COUR, who receives weight all round and can take full advantage, with Nelliedonethat an obvious rival and perhaps Day du Roy less so. Day Du Roy will go off a big price here but is worthy of a second look. He has a Fakenham win to his credit, and ran well for a long way on his re-appearance here, running well before fading in the final half mile. He comes back in trip here, and dropped 3lbs, the handicapper has given him a chance, as he will be fitter now. Twice a winner in 18 starts, Nelliedonethat is likely to go off a short price here, but although shaping encouragingly on his second start over fences, that form looks no more than ordinary and he looks no value and is taken on. Mistral de la Cour was a winner last year, and ran well last time, on ground he probably found too testing. He looks nicely weighted, only 5lbs higher than his winning mark, and Mistral de la Cour can land his fourth chase.

Formwatch

Jorveybrook (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 6 out, soon ridden, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Huckleberry (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.

Prince Mouse 33-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place 11th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, hit next, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 12l behind Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.

Cailin Go Maith (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leader, lost place 10th, behind when blundered 2 out, 6th of 15, 30l behind Player (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.

Nelliedonethat (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-10) Led, headed before last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Toy Gun (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.

Storm Surge (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, remained close up, every chance 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Norminster (11-2) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.

Mr Floppy (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Held up, struggling from 8th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Lago (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.

Ring Of Beara (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 10th, 8th of 13, 36l behind Whatcanyasay (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.

Perly Spencer (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, no chance from 9th, blundered badly 4 out, 7th of 16, 37l behind Ours (11-12) at Southwell 2m hcp chs (5) gd in Oct.

Wee George 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th, last of 13, well behind Apollo Creed (11-6) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.

Grand Manner (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Always behind, 6th of 10, 39l behind Justwhateverulike (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.

Sound Of Cheers 8-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 9th of 15, 41l behind Player (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.

Day du Roy (FR) 28-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, 31l behind Roznic (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.

Toulouse Express (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Player (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.

Red Dawn (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, held when blundered 2 out and one pace after, 4th of 10, 7l behind Justwhateverulike (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.

Lerida 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 9th, soon beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Festival King (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.

Presenting Alf (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened 4 out, 6th of 16, 27l behind Quay Meadow (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.

Hickory Lane 11-2 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 22l behind Bewery Man (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Mistral De La Cour (FR) 17-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, outpressed 3 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 10, 8l behind Norminster (11-2) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.