JUST FOR MEN made a pleasing return to action earlier in the month and gets the vote here ahead of recent winner Mount Cook and Reckless Venture. The selection has some really solid form to his name from last season and his recent second to Silly Wupple has been irrefutably franked with that horse romping home since. Polar Gunner represents a stable in good form and should now be at his peak after two runs, Or De Grugy could play a part despite top-weight if his jumping holds up, whilst Pen Gwen hasn¿t been able to score since leaving Nigel Twiston-Davies, but having said that he never won for him either! Mount Cook has a 14lb rise in teh weights for his recent comprehensive success but this race looks tougher, whilst Reckless Venture cannot be passed over too easily off ten stone two. Competitive, but Just For Men can score.
Or de Grugy (FR) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, weakened from 10th, beaten when unseated rider 5 out in race won by Yes Sir (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 5 out, mistake 4 out, no impression approaching last, 5th of 11, 12l behind Role On (10-13) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) hvy.
Just For Men (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 9th, led approaching last, soon ridden, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Silly Wupple (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Polar Gunner 28-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 11, 6l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Pen Gwen (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, hampered 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 10, 27l behind Blast The Past (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Mount Cook (FR) 7-2jt-fav (11-11) In touch, headway and led 10th, in command from approaching 3 out, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs beating Compton Star (11-9) by 8l, 8 ran.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 15-8fav (10-13) In touch, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Sunny Brook (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
