Verdict

Veteran Fairwood Present has won eight times in an illustrious career, including one over course and distance in 2011. However, time may be catching up with him now. John Ferguson doesn't have many hunter chasers and the former Nicky Henderson-trained Bai Zhu looks to have a decent chance at this level while Himalayan Express and What Of It are often thereabouts. Martys Mission was third at Wincanton last month but it's about time BERMUDA BOY was winning one of these. Only beaten half-a-length over 3m here two weeks ago, his stable won this two years ago and the eight-year-old can end his frustrating sequence now.

Formwatch

Bai Zhu (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, left 2nd last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 24l behind That's The Deal (10-6) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.

Fairwood Present (IRE) 6-1 (12-7) In tch til blun 13; pu aft by-passing 3 out, in a race won by Cottage Oak (12-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp hvy in Dec, 12 ran.

Himalayan Express 14-1 (12-5) Held up; eff 15; wknd 3 out, 4th of 9, 40l behind Earth Dream (12-5) at Cambridge University Draghounds 3m ptp gd.

What Of It (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Led 3-6 & 8 til hdd 2 out; no ex, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Pavillon Bleu (12-0) at Point-to-Point Owners & Riders 3m ptp gs in Dec.

Bermuda Boy (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Led until after 1st, prominent, led 10th, not fluent 12th, edged right before last, headed flat, held close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Bob 'n' You (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) sft.

Coin of The Realm (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, settled in 4th, headway to chase leading pair 5th, weakening when mistake 3 out, hit next, 4th of 6, 46l behind The Betchworth Kid (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov '09.

Lincoln's Inn (IRE) 150-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2nd, pushed along approaching 7th, losing place when very slow 8th, soon well behind and pulled up, in a race won by That's Rhythm (12-1) at Bangor 2m 4f hts chs (6) hvy, 7 ran.

Little Promise (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) 5th when pu 10, in a race won by Indiana Bay (11-7) at Upcott Cross 3m ptp gd in Jun, 8 ran.

Martys Mission (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) In rear, hampered 4th, headway after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Kirkleigh (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) hvy in Jan.

No Reception (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) (tt) strugg when pu 13, in a race won by Trouble Digger (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp hvy in Dec, 18 ran.

Rebel Alliance (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) (tt) ss; chsd ldrs 15; no imp 3 out, 4th of 17, 31l behind Dreamy George (12-0) at Cambridge University Draghounds 3m ptp gd.

Tallow Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Held up last to 11; hdwy 13; wknd 15, 6th of 8, 38l behind Barneys Mate (12-0) at Milborne St Andrew 3m ptp gs.

Tiermore (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-divison on outside, reminder 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Quaddick Lake (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jul.