LOCHNELL is a real mudlark as she's shown in her last two starts over 3m on this track where she's stayed on strongly at the finish. She's up another 5lb but looks certain to make a bold bid for the hat-trick and gets the nod. Finaghy Ayr, who was only beaten just over a length by her last time, is 4lb better off so there should be nothing between the pair but Presented was a long way back in sixth and looks held. Dual hurdles winner Balko De La Saulaie ran very well on his chasing debut at Newcastle last month, his first run for a year but Ceann Sibheal, who completed a double early in 2016, has been looking poorly handicapped.
Bako De La Saulaie (FR) 16-1 (11-2) With leader, every chance 3 out, soon hard ridden, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Very First Time (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Lochnell (IRE) 11-2jfav (11-3) In rear, headway before 3 out, switched right before and led last, kept on well, won at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Finaghy Ayr (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Present Flight (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 31 3/4l behind Ballyboker Breeze (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Ceann Sibheal (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, lost place 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off when left remote 4th approaching last, 4th of 7, dist behind Malapie (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Finaghy Ayr (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Towards rear, mistake 9th, soon outpaced, headway from 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Lochnell (11-3) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Presented (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Led, headed 5 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 10, 31 1/4l behind Lochnell (11-3) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Benarty Hill (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden into 3rd before 2 out, under pressure in 4th 2 out, left 3rd last and soon 2nd, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 7 1/2l behind Cerca Trova (11-4) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Jan.
