Verdict

Oso Magic gets the confident vote in the finale with Nowator and Edmo Yewkay put forward as the main dangers. The selection hails from the Sue Smith yard and this course and distance winner should prove too good for the rest here. He was travelling well when falling at the eighth fence at Doncaster last time. He will not find these ground conditions ideal but he has run well on a soft surface before and he looks the one to beat. Nowator won well at Haydock and she will handle the ground, but this trip will test her stamina to the limit and for that reason she looks worth taking on. Edmo Yewkay is interesting as he is a course and distance winner who won well last time on heavy ground at Wetherby. With no trip or ground worries he has to enter calculations. Holy Joe is from a yard in good form and is another that could go well at a price, but for the winner we are happy to return to Oso Magic.

Formwatch

Holy Joe (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led briefly after 12th, disputing close 3rd when slid to a halt 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Too Forward (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Nov, 10 ran.

Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) With leaders, led approaching 3rd, clear 5 out, ridden approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) hvy beating Green Ideal (10-11) by 23l, 6 ran.

Oso Magic 7-2fav (11-5) Tracking leader when fell at the 8th in race won by Kelrev (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs, 13 ran.

Nowator (POL) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pecked 7th, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft beating Mistral De La Cour (11-3) by 3l, 6 ran.

Gatorade (NZ) 14-1 (11-3) Held up, weakened approaching 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Oso Magic (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov, 11 ran.

Mistral De La Cour (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led after 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Nowator (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft.

Pillaging Pict 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 10th, ridden 2 out, kept on well, not reach leaders, 4th of 8, 1l behind Almost Broke (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Apr.

Miss Mattie Ross 13-2 (9-9) Led 2nd, headed 12th, remained prominent, pushed along 15th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 28l behind Ossmoses (10-0) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs.

Posh Stick 8-1 (10-4) Held up, chased leaders 11th, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 11, 25l behind Oso Magic (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.

Historg (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Always behind, no chance when mistake 28th, 9th of 14, 39l behind Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (B) gd in Nov.

Hollows Mill 14-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, effort after 5f out, beaten when blundered next, 7th of 10, 31l behind Polar Gunner (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.