A valuable contest has drawn a quality field headed by Springfield Scally who is the choice to give weight and a beating to his rivals. The Steve Gollings-trained gelding was understandably outclassed in a Grade 2 event last time but this is his level as he showed when making all to comfortably land a Chepstow handicap (now 6lb higher) in November. The son of Scallywag remains well treated on the pick of his form and should be able to dictate terms in this smallish field so will take plenty of pegging back. Kimberley comes here in good heart following his recent win at Uttoxeter. However, the son of Shareef Dancer had nothing to spare at the line and is set to struggle here off a 7lb higher mark. Old Rouvel has been a fine servant down the years but is reaching the veteran stage of his racing career and has yet to sparkle during a light campaign so looks worth opposing off his current mark. Imperial de Thaix has claims on his best efforts but has been well below his best of late while former smart chaser Paris Pike appears to have lost his way and is readily opposed on his return to hurdling.
