Verdict
Thedreamistillalive took advantage of his slide down the weights when winning at Folkestone last week but the veteran faces a tougher task under a penalty here. A tentative vote goes to TOP BENEFIT, third at Towcester last time and on a decent mark compared to the best of his past form. Musical Wedge should also go well with a recent pipe-opener under his belt but Brousse En Feux has reverted to type since scoring at Fontwell last month and the rest are even harder to fancy.
Formwatch
For The Staff (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Mainly jumped well, led, headed 4 out, ridden and blundered 3 out, held soon after, no chance with easy winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Desperate Dex (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Musical Wedge 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, bumped 8th, ridden in 4th 5 out, stayed on to 3rd approaching 3 out and not fluent, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Royal Mile (9-13) at Chepstow 3m cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gs in Oct.
Top Benefit (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, stumbled 7th, blundered next, headway to 3rd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Samenerve (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs.
Brousse En Feux (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, headed before last, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Ibn Hiyyan (10-11) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 6 ran.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Led until 4th, chased leaders, went 2nd bypassing omitted 5 out, ridden to challenge 4 out, soon every chance until driven 2 out and weakened soon after, 6th of 10, 30l behind Smokey George (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Made virtually all, not fluent 1st, hard pressed when 2 rivals fell 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Tchang Goon (9-9) by 9l, 6 ran.
Wild Ground (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) In rear, headway 16th, chased leaders before 4 out, weakened soon after next, 8th of 12, 32l behind Sea Saffron (10-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb '11.
