T:Â O Greenall & J GuerrieroJ:Â Mr Ed Glassonbury (3)
Led until 1st, prominent, led 9th, headed when not fluent 11th (water), pushed along after next, struggling 14th, weakened after next, mistake 4 out, pulled up before 2 out op 22/1 tchd 25/1
If MENDIP EXPRESS can show anything like the form he did to finish within 10L of hunter chase legend On The Fringe three times last spring, then he'll win this, and it would seem to be as simple as that. Should he falter, perhaps the veteran Gauvain can pick up the pieces, having won well at Fontwell last time, albeit in a much weaker contest. Mr Mercurial looks the best of the rest, though he was well behind the selection at Cheltenham last year.
1. Mendip Express
2. Gauvain
3. Mr Mercurial