Verdict

This looks a really good opportunity for KINGSMERE, a rare Henry Daly runner at this venue. A promising novice hurdler, he was unlucky when coming to grief at the last at Stratford on his penultimate outing before putting up a fine effort at the same track when running Domtaline to a length. The King's Theatre gelding should score here with a clear round in what looks a clever piece of placing by his trainer. Dodgey Dream shaped better over fences last time when fourth, albeit beaten some way, behind Fill The Power at Sedgefield and clearly has some ability over the larger obstacles but should not be good enough to trouble the selection. The rest have little or nothing to commend them on the formbook with Still Calm possibly capable of a little improvement on achievements to date.

Formwatch

Dodgey Dream 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 11, 26l behind Fill The Power (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May.

How's D Strawboss (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up and well in rear early, pecked 7th when in touch at back of group, weakened after 9th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by How's My Friend (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gf in May, 9 ran.

Kingsmere 2-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led and blundered 10th, chased leaders, left 2nd 3 out, challenged and every chance when blundered last, stayed on flat, not recover, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Domtaline (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in May.

Mystified (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, not fluent 3rd, behind when mistake next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Qualitee (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.

Paddy The Plumber (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Prom til wknd 4 out; fell last, in a race won by Miss Vivian (11-0) at Tranwell 2m 4f ptp gd in Apr '11, 11 ran.

Still Calm 100-1 (11-3) Led to 1st, took keen hold, weakened from 11th, 7th of 8, well behind Our Mick (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (5) gd in Nov.