Verdict

Royale's Charter bids for a hat-trick having won both starts this season over shorter trips on faster ground. Up 8lb for his latest win at Taunton, he blundered and unseated his rider over C&D back in January when ACKERTAC finished runner-up. Only 2lb higher for this, the latter is fancied to go one better and finally open his account over fences. Marshal Zhukov returned a comfortable eight length winner at Chepstow last month and has been rewarded with a 13lb rise in the weights. However, he could still figure and makes more appeal than Kapga De Cerisy, who wasn't beaten far when fourth over track and trip on his recent comeback. Course winner All For Free is having his first start since February but could also be in the mix.

Formwatch

Song Sung Blue (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, towards rear when went right 5th, blundered 6th and 9th, tailed off next, 15th of 16, well behind Ostland (11-9) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May.

Royale's Charter 5-2 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, steady headway 5th, chased leaders 8th, went 2nd after 4 out, upsides when mistake 3 out, went left next, went left again last, stayed on gamely to lead final 75 yards, won at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct beating Shooters Wood (11-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.

Ackertac (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Pressed winner, led 13th, headed next, weakened after 3 out, left modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 36l behind Sire Collonges (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gs in Oct.

Marshal Zhukov (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, smooth headway to chase leaders 11th, led 5f out, clear and travelling strongly 2 out, pushed along from last, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct beating Henry San (11-3) by 8l, 8 ran.

Webberys Dream 50-1 (10-1) Led until 2nd, tracked winner until 5th, last next, mistake 8th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Cue Card (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs.

Pantxoa (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, left 3rd when hampered 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with front pair when lost 3rd last, 4th of 11, 13l behind Rebel Rebellion (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f Beginners Chase (0-140) (4yo+) (3) gs in Oct.

Vino Griego (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 8l behind Alpine Breeze (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.

All For Free (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up, pulled up before 4th, in a race won by Hunt Ball (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb, 10 ran.

Saveiro (FR) 22-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 3rd, closed 7th, outpaced next, stayed on flat, no impression, 4th of 8, 27l behind Prosecco (10-0) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.

Kapga De Cerisy (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged and every chance when mistake 2 out, lost 2nd and slight peck last, no extra flat, just held on for 4th, 4th of 9, 5l behind Hadrian's Approach (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f Beginners Chase (0-140) (4yo+) (3) gs.