Verdict

From a very good line-up for the big race, we will shortlist Armaturk, Dempsey and Tikram and side with Tikram. Armaturk's exploits have been heartlifting and, even though he's been raised to a mark of 158 for a very game Lingfield run, a good run is not ruled out. Oneway hasn't quite got it together this season but a return to the level of form that saw him finish fourth in last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase would give him claims. Mister McGoldrick comes here in good heart following his Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial second. He had preceded that with a win in the Castleford Chase, for which he is 11 pounds worse off with Albuhera for 12 lengths. Fundamentalist was behind Oneway at Wetherby last time but he would have needed that run and, an exciting novice last year, he is respected here. Dempsey looked one to stay on the right side of when winning at Sandown last time although he is four pounds worse off with Tikram for the three-quarters-of-a-length that he beat Gary Moore's charge that day; however, both rate as leading players today, and we will side with the latter as the choice. Limerick Boy ran a blinder here last time over a longer trip and should come on for that and is another to respect, while Ground Ball holds claims based on his fourth over course and distance in December, particularly if there is plenty of cut in the ground, but being seven pounds better for nine-and-three-quarter lengths with Tysou based on that run might not be enough to turn the tables on Nicky Henderson's runner, who is another to consider today. Bambi de l'Orne ran cracking good races at last season's Cheltenham and Aintree festivals and, having been supported this week, is not ruled out of a very good run. Finally, much as Town Crier and Locksmith are likeable, they have a little to prove, we feel, at this type of level, which, in turn, returns us to the selection, which is Tikram.

Formwatch

Mister McGoldrick 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent last, headed flat, ran on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Al Eile (11-12) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.

Armaturk (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders throughout, hit last, strong challenge run-in, ran on gamely to lead last strides, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs (B) sft in Dec beating Bleu Superbe (10-1) by a nk, 6 ran.

Oneway (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) In rear, soon pushed along, left 3rd 3 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 5, well behind Mister McGoldrick (11-8) at Wetherby 2m chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec.

Fundamentalist (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, well behind Mister McGoldrick (11-8) at Wetherby 2m chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec.

Locksmith 40-1 (11-7) Pulled hard, pressed leader to 6th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 7, 32l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (A) sft in Dec.

Dempsey (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders 4th, led 6th, in command 2 out, kept on gamely flat, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs beating Tikram (11-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.

Town Crier (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) In touch, led 5th, headed next, led on bit 3 out, clear run-in, easily, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft beating Chef de Cour (11-5) by 11l, 12 ran.

Albuhera (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, ridden to chase winner from 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-8) at Wetherby 2m chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec.

Limerick Boy (GER) 16-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden last, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 13, 19l behind Fondmort (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs.

Ground Ball (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, led before 4 out, jumped right 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed before last, no extra under pressure run-in, 4th of 13, 6l behind Escrea (10-1) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Dec.

Tikram 15-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased winner after last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Dempsey (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.

Tysou (FR) 4-1fav (11-10) Chased winner 9th, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Dempsey (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.

Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, jumped left and weakened next, beaten when mistake last, 7th of 10, 16l behind Bold Bishop (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (B) gs in Nov.