This is tricky with Sonevafushi, Cruising River, Muttley Maguire and Tribal King are shortlisted, with the vote going to Tribal King. We will work our way through these. Sonevafushi put in a fair effort at Cheltenham last time and is still well-weighted based on his 2004 hurdling form. First-time blinkers helped Le Jaguar last time and, from a four-pound higher mark, he is respected. Bee An Bee has yet to build on a good course and distance run in April, while Cruising River won a beginners' chase at Taunton last time and could be interesting in handicaps. Shalako is still well-weighted on form of 14 months ago, while Russian Gigolo's Ludlow effort was a fair one, although he's been raised five pounds for being narrowly beaten. Jordans Lad took advantage of a good mark to score over hurdles last time and cannot be ruled out over fences, while, being just five pounds above his Haydock winning mark, Melford is given a chance. Cassia Heights is well-weighted based on Aintree 2004 winning form and Lord Seamus is not out of things on 2004 form. Auburn Spirit is now back to February's winning mark and, if you forgive Noble Baron his latest effort, he's reasonably weighted, while, from an in-form stable, Tribal King is edging back towards a fair mark. Finally, Muttley Maguire remains competitive, even from a six-pounds higher mark than for his Folkestone win. Overall, in a competitive affair, the selection is Tribal King.
Sonevafushi (FR) 9-2jt-fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 10th, hit 3 out, ridden next, kept on, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Va Vavoom (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (E) gs.
Spring Grove (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) In touch, headway 12th, chased winner 4 out, no chance after next, 2nd of 8, 25l behind Eurotrek (11-5) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs.
Le Jaguar (FR) 9-2 (11-4) In touch, joined leader 17th, led after 18th, ridden when hit 3 out, kept on flat, won at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd beating Tribal Dancer (10-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Bee An Bee (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off before 13th, 9th of 11, well behind Ladalko (11-11) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Nov.
Cruising River (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Led to 7th, led 8th, shaken up 3 out, clear 2 out, driven out from last, won at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd beating Quid Pro Quo (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Shalako (USA) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, chased winner and mistake 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Ladalko (11-11) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Nov.
Russian Gigolo (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) In touch, left in lead 11th, ridden 2 out, blundered and headed last, rallied towards finish, unlucky, 2nd of 9, shd behind Luneray (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Jordans Lad (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway 9th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, edged right flat, driven out, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Apr beating Le Joyeux (11-1) by a nk, 17 ran.
Melford (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, effort 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 23, 27l behind Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Cassia Heights 9-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, ridden, lost place after 5 out, 8th of 13, 35l behind Ede'iff (9-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd.
Lord Seamus 28-1 (10-13) Led to 9th, led again 10th to after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 18l behind Millenaire (11-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd.
Auburn Spirit 12-1 (10-10) Led until 3rd, with leader, led 10th, took wrong course and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Dead-Eyed Dick (11-4) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft, 10 ran.
Noble Baron 5-1 (10-11) Held, weakening when mistake 4 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Reflected Glory (11-6) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs, 10 ran.
Tribal King (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, never dangerous, 10th of 23, 30l behind Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Durlston Bay 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 3rd, mistake 5th, headed 12th, led 14th, headed 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Latimer's Place (11-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft.
Muttley Maguire (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Led and disputed, definite advantage when hit 4 out, joined last, kept on well, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov beating Majestic Moonbeam (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Stormy Skye (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Tracking leaders when blundered and fell at the 7th in race won by Muttley Maguire (11-7) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
