Verdict

Wyck Hill hasn't run over timber for almost four years but has won five times over fences including last year's Eider Chase at Newcastle. He's owned by J P McManus which is why the champion jockey is on board, though a crack at the Grand National is likely to be on the agenda. Jonjo O'Neill runs MACKERYE END (NAP), who cost £62,000 after finishing runner-up in a point at Dromahane. He made a pleasing debut for new connections behind the odds-on The Tourard Man at Southwell and the winner has since run well in a much better race. Delgany Demon has a penalty for his very easy victory at Southwell but blotted his copybook when beaten at long odds-on in a four-runner race at Huntingdon where his jumping left plenty to be desired. Wild Rover landed a bumper here in December and ran well enough on his hurdling bow at Chepstow to suggest he can get competitive here, especially with a better round of jumping.

Formwatch

Delgany Demon 1-6fav (11-5) Not fluent at times, tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, not fluent last, driven and stayed on flat, always looked held, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Candide (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.

Laird Of Monksford (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leading trio, went 2nd before 2 out, pushed along on long run to last, driven and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Line D'aois (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in May.

Mackerye End (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In rear, went 3rd after 3 out, ridden to chase winner before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind The Tourard Man (10-12) at Southwell 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.

Quintano (GER) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 39l behind Lough Derg Walk (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft.

Wild Rover (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Prominent, led after 7th, headed 4 out, no extra before last, 4th of 14, 15l behind Stilletto (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.

Wyck Hill (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, in touch when hit 4 out, outpaced in 5th when mistake next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 6th of 16, 42l behind Goulanes (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.

Main Reason (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Held up 4th and last, struggling 4 out, tailed off before next, last of 4, well behind Rock Gone (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cond mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.