TimeformBlog

Otage de Brion notched 2 novice chase victories in 2010 for Charlie Longsdon but in-and-out form for couple of trainers since, well-beaten third in Fakenham hunter when last seen in May.

Safari Adventures is winless since scoring at Aintree in June 2010, but number of creditable placed efforts last season. Excuses for last 2 runs this spring but fitness has to be traken on trust after summer off.

Marley Roca scored twice at Stratford (17.5f) during the spring, including when last seen in May. Effective at this trip but 8 lb rise demands more returning from 5-month break.

Knockavilla has patchy record and doesn't always find as much as expected, but winner of novice chase in April 2010 and creditable third over C&D when last seen in January (left Howard Johnson since).

Le Roi Rouge's last victory came here (2m), but that was back in 2009. Often makes mistakes and was well below his best when last seen at Newcastle in February, his jumping again letting him down.

Horseshoe Reef has been holding his form well this summer, and got his head in front at Uttoxeter in September. Followed up with solid second back at same course last time and no reason he won't go well again.

You Know Yourself was a winner 3 times over fences last season, including over C&D. Below form when last seen in April but still less exposed than most of these and returns with yard among the winners.

Meet The Critics is an Irish point winner, and duly stepped up on hurdles form switched to fences, winning at Newbury (2¾m) in March. Surprise if there isn't more to come over fences and 8 lb rise doesn't look harsh.

Mr Crystal was a winner here on chase debut (2m) in 2009. Off 19 months and shaped as if refinding some form in 2 spins on the Flat recently, so he's no forlorn hope now back jumping.

Persian Gates won twice as a novice last season but returned with much improved display when going in at Market Rasen (2¾m) last month. 10 lb rise may not stop him with yard continuing in fine form.

Zazamix produced best effort over fences when second over this trip at Kempton in February for Nicky Henderson. Well below form since, including on debut for current yard latest. Visor now tried.

Douryna got her act together over fences when landing a 2½m Huntingdon handicap with something to spare in March. Couple of good placed efforts since and can't rule out if ready to go after break.

Morning Moment returned from 15-month absence better than ever when winning at Uttoxeter (21f) in July. Given plenty of time to recover and should be on premises with possibility of more to come.

Border Reiver was a winner 3 times here this year at up to 2½m and returned to form back from 3-month break when second at Sedgefield last month. No surprise to see him go well back at his favoured course.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Persian Gates
2. Meet The Critics
3. Morning Moment

Timeform's View: Last-time-out winners Meet The Critics, Morning Moment and Persian Gates are possibly the trio to concentrate on in what looks a competitive race of its type, the last-named given the nod.

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