Verdict

MUSICAL WEDGE won very easily at Taunton eight days ago and, though carrying a penalty here, looks the one to beat again. The Big Freeze has been raised 3lb for his length second at Musselburgh but is another with decent claims while Sentimentaljourney can probably be forgiven a poor run over a shorter trip at Wincanton last month, though still hasn't managed a win over fences. Royal Chatelier was well beaten on his chasing bow and had a poor strike rate over hurdles and the mare Al Shababiya never seems to run two races alike.

Formwatch

Russian Song (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, reminder after 4th, lost place 6th, behind 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Saint Are (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr '11, 19 ran.

The Big Freeze (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Led, hung left before 11th, left clear before 5 out, kept on and headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Or de Grugy (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.

Sentimentaljourney (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Prominent, lost place 8th, mistake when losing touch 11th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Fairy Rath (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.

Time Do (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, weakened from 12th, 5th of 6, 40l behind Bennys Mist (11-5) at Exeter 3m Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) hvy in Oct.

Lough Coi (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Master Neo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) hvy in Nov, 13 ran.

Musical Wedge 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 11th, made rest, ridden and ran on, eased run in, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov beating For The Staff (11-7) by 14l, 7 ran.

Royal Chatelier (FR) 40-1 (10-13) Behind, slow 5th, driven and headway 11th, weakening when mistake next, modest 4th, 4th of 10, 44l behind Hildisvini (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in Nov.

Al Shababiya (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, reminders 8th, pulled up after 6 out, in a race won by Master Neo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) hvy in Nov, 13 ran.

Lupita (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost 3rd at 9th, outpaced 13th, stayed on to poor 3rd soon after 3 out, 3rd of 6, 41l behind Desperate Dex (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.