MR MOONSHINE began 2014 with a double in decent company and has continued to operate at a high level. He'll appreciate dropping down a grade and is taken to concede weight all round. Big Fella Thanks is likely to be heading for Aintree again but hasn't been seen since a fair run in the Topham in April. King Edmund's last two victories have been over hurdles but he'd been in decent form over fences previously and is an obvious contender. Sa Suffit hasn't won since 2010 but Frontier Spirit has been in good form and, with Ryan Hatch's claim to help, he has to be a threat to all.
Mr Moonshine (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened 16th (valentines), behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs, 25 ran.
Big Fella Thanks 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, tracked leaders 12th (canal turn), joined winner 14th, lost place after 3 out, weakened flat, 7th of 30, 24l behind Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
King Edmund 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, headed before next, led again 9th, hard ridden when challenged before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy beating Krackatoa King (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sa Suffit (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Led, heded before 5 out, soon ridden and outpaced, plugged on from 3 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Stagecoach Pearl (10-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
Frontier Spirit (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Led and soon clear, headed 2 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 9l behind Tenor Nivernais (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Mister Marker (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped slowly throughout, weakened 9th, soon tailed off, left in remote 3rd at 3 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Sixty Something (11-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Aachen 11-1 (10-8) Towards rear, pushed along before 11th, headway before 4 out, weakened quickly 3 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Diocles (10-8) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs (2) sft, 10 ran.
