Verdict

A trappy opener, with little on official ratings between all six runners, but we just prefer Co Optimist to both Full On and Lough Dante. Co Optimist only had a handful of races over timber, and shaped like a thorough stayer, so the two and a half mile trip that Nigel Twiston-Davies¿ gelding ran over on his chasing debut at Leicester last time was almost certainly too sharp for him. This extra three furlongs and a much stiffer track should be ideal. Full On was weakening when falling three out in a decent race at Cheltenham last time, but had earlier finished a fair second to Light Des Mulottes at Uttoxeter, and a line through that winner gives him a slight edge over today¿s rival Jongleur Collonges, who won over today¿s course and distance in October. Lough Dante is very lightly raced and looked a bit novicey when third on his chasing debut at Lingfield last time but could improve significantly if he brushes up on his jumping. Blame The Ref and General Gossip cannot be entirely ruled out, but we¿re hopeful that Co Optimist can land the spoils.