This is a tough race to call with so many progressive and unexposed and improving horses in it, but I do wonder if some are having a run and may wish to keep their powder and true potential dry for Cheltenham or Aintree?

 

Christian Willaims runs a trio of whom Cap Du nord is favourite with most firms off a disappointing time, reduced mark and cheek-pieces to pep it up. He may actually have better chances at better prices with Five Star Getaway a Course and Distance winner in December off a mark of 130 and raised only 4lbs for that and Kittys Light who is slightly higher in the handicap than you'd like but who gets optimum ground for the first time in a while. Of those I think Five Star Getaway is the real value.

 

Paul Nicholls runs a couple and is convinced Lalor is worth a try at the trip but the better one may be ENRILO who has confirmed has been aimed at the race and in it to win it, it needs to find a bit but the Trainer is bullish enough for me!. Annsam for Evan Williams has been kept fresh since impressing at Ascot before Christmas and may be one looking to protect an increased mark of 140, The Big breakaway for the Tizzards is very talented and will click one day but his jumping leaves a lot to be desired in a race of this depth,PHOENIX WAY for Harry Fry is one I really like it looks ideally suited by the step up to 3 miles and one they all have to beat and not a bad price in my eyes.

 

Zanza and Zhiguli probably have a bit to find in this company, Galahad Quest has a decent each way chance of a place for Nick Williams and Our Power and Good Boy Bobby add to the list of those who could easily pop up if running to their best form but neither jump off the page off their marks today. I do think though that the patience Nick Skelton has shown in getting BEAKSTON right deserves to pay off soon and today looks a great opportunity. It won prior to a 606 day break, has run 3rd, 9th and then runner up twice since then so clearly retains ability and as a 3 mile P2P winner as a youngster the step up in trip off a mark of 130 looks very positive to me.