Verdict

Papradon and Rouge Et Blanc are high enough in the weights at present but both have place claims again in this grade, though the former lacks a recent run. Noble Witness was never travelling and pulled up at Towcester last week, however, while Special Robon looks to have a mind of his own and Irish Guard is looking a light of former days. LOUGH COI, on the other hand, is really starting to blossom and a 7lb penalty for last week's win at Leicester may not be enough to prevent the hat-trick.

Formwatch

Papradon 7-2 (11-2) Prominent, jumped slowly 1st, mistake and lost place 5th, rallied next, weakened after 4 out, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Venetian Lad (9-13) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Oct.

Rouge Et Blanc (FR) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up, headway 5th, ridden before 3 out, beaten when not fluent next, took 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Arthur's Pass (11-7) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.

Noble Witness (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Close up, weakened before 12th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gorgehous Lliege (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.

Lough Coi (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, hampered 1st, went 2nd 7th, mistake 9th, driven after 2 out, led last, edged right flat, held on, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan beating Seventh Hussar (10-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.

Russian Conquest 14-1 (10-7) Towards rear, tailed off from 5th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by L'Eldorado (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.

Special Robon (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Led, pushed along and a couple of lengths ahead when took wrong course and pulled up 3 out (missed out fence), in a race won by Lough Coi (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.

Irish Guard 33-1 (11-2) Led until 8th, led before 10th, headed 11th, led 13th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 38l behind Trojan Sun (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.

Croco Mister (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, headway from 10th, hit 2 out, disputing 3rd and no chance with winner when badly hampered last, one pace, 4th of 12, 11l behind Trojan Sun (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.