FONTWELL'S Southern National Chase promises to be a war of attrition for which Calvic (2.55) has the perfect credentials, writes COLIN WOODS (Janus).

The remaining three scheduled weekend National Hunt fixtures been have wiped out by the wet weather but while the going is sure to be testing, the Sussex track appears to have escaped the worst of the rain.

It's going to be slog city for all 14 participants, but Calvic knows how to handle the mud better than most, a point not missed on trainer Tom George, whose had the £25,000 race pencilled in for some time.

George has sensibly given his charge a nice rest since the gelding landed a 5-1 winning nap for the column in a similarly long-distance contest at Bangor in early February.

That hard-fought victory was made all the more remarkable considering Calvic looked dead and buried three fences from home, prior to producing a stunning late surge under an inspired, never-say-die ride by jockey Paul Molony.

To see Molony has once again been chosen to partner the selection is excellent news because he appreciates Calvic is a lazy so-and-so, therefore he will not stop pushing and shoving when the eight-year-old threatens to slam on the anchors.

For a saver I'd recommend an each-way punt on Rum Pointer, who shaped like a decent stayer two years ago, before leg trouble ravaged a promising career.

Rum Pointer recently returned from a 70-week absence to run with credit in a Kempton handicap hurdle, a pleasing effort that could signal he's finally shaken off his persistent injury blues.

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