Verdict

Hopeful Start was well backed at Uttoxeter last time but dropped away tamely once push came to shove and may still be too high in the weights. Mr Chow is interesting, however, as he beat Solitary Palm over C&D last month despite making several jumping errors. He may be capable of better as he gains experience while Manmoon hinted at a revival at Plumpton earlier this month. Lady Karinga fell at the first on her chasing bow, however, while Overnight Fame has been well beaten in both starts over the larger obstacles so far so we'll give a tentative vote to FOLIE A DEUX. He doesn't look badly treated at present and was second at Wincanton on his latest start. Polly Gundry's charge has won over this trip over hurdles and may be tough to pass if allowed to set his own pace here.

Formwatch

Lady Karinga 5-1 (11-8) Hampered and fell 1st, in a race won by Inga Bird (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 10 ran.

Mr Chow (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Held up behind, blundered 3rd, headway 10th, went 2nd at 13th, led after 3 out, blundered last, kept on, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Nov beating Solitary Palm (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.

Bolachoir (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Ww rr, prog tfrom 8th to go 3rd 4out, held from 3out, & no ex, 4th of 10, 5l behind Mon Oiseau (11-7) at Stradbally 3m ire ptp gf in May.

Hopeful Start (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, not fluent and reminders 11th, went 2nd next, led 3 out, headed when mistake next, weakened last, 4th of 8, 14l behind Run To Fly (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.

Folie A Deux (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Chased clear leading pair, close up when bumped and not fluent 9th and next, pushed right 11th, went 2nd next, led 4 out, blundered and headed 3 out, no impression on winner from next, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Mylord Collonges (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.

Overnight Fame (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Not always fluent, chased leaders, went 2nd before 8th (water), until 12th, chased leaders until weakened after 14th, 5th of 11, 27l behind Sarika (11-5) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.

Solitary Palm (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Led, blundered 4 out, hampered by loose horse 2 out, headed before last, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 8l behind Valley View (11-1) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy.

Pete The Feat (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, stumbled 12th, ridden in 3rd on long run to 3 out, went right left close 2nd and hampered 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Monbeg Dude (11-4) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.

Might As Well 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 12th, went poor 3rd from 4 out until before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, well behind Strongbows Legend (11-3) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.

Manmoon (FR) 15-2 (10-10) Led, headed 4th, remained prominent, led again 9th, mistake next, headed approaching last, faded and lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Ballyman (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft.

She's On The Case (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) In rear, hit 4th, headway before 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 8th of 9, well behind Dermatologiste (10-5) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.

Beat The System 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, well behind Alpha Way (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft.

Local Present (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Mylord Collonges (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.

Blue Lovell (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, blundered 13th, mistake when well beaten 3 out, 5th of 10, 38l behind Just Josie (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.

Legends Lass 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leader on outer, unseated rider 6 out, in a race won by Alpha Way (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft, 14 ran.