Johnny Og beat Cloudy Bob six lengths in this 12 months ago but bids for a repeat off a 20lb higher mark. More interesting is More Buck's, who has won three of his six starts over fences, though he looked to be in the handicapper’s grip last time at Kempton. West Wizard’s victory at Ffos Las hasn’t been franked and while Thomas Crapper has the ability to figure, he often flatters to deceive. COLIN’S BROTHER briefly looked in trouble at Ludlow last month but was well on top at the end and this slightly longer trip looks ideal. He’s gone up another 7lb but Zac Baker claims back almost half of that and the hat-trick beckons.
Johnny Og 20-1 (11-10) Led, clear 6th, struggling in rear after 3 out, 9th of 15, 37 1/4l behind Poker School (10-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
More Buck's (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Raced keenly, went right 1st, pressed leader, led 5th until 11th, led again 4 out, slight lead when pecked 2 out, ridden and headed before the last, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened into 4th 100 yards out, 4th of 8, 7l behind Double Shuffle (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Thomas Crapper 14-1 (10-0) Held up, in rear, headway 8th, not fluent when 2nd 13th, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, 4th and no extra last, 5th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Shantou Flyer (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
West Wizard (FR) 2-1fav (11-13) Behind, headway before 9th, led 4 out, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Bramble Brook (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Colin's Brother 9-2 (10-3) Led early, soon in touch, outpaced before 4 out, rallied next, led before last, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Gardefort (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
Lord Ben (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, led after 4 out until 3 out, ridden and one pace in 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 15, 5 1/4l behind Barel Of Laughs (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f (6) gd in Jan.
Lost Legend (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Towards rear, weakened from halfway, soon in rear, 8th of 9, dist behind Oliver's Hill (10-6) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced and lost place after 8th, rallied into 3rd 11th, pushed along after 4 out, 2nd before 3 out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 9 1/2l behind Foxtail Hill (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
