TOMNGERRY - who has already won a point-to-point, two bumpers and two hurdle races - can make an immediate impact over fences and he’s already proven on heavy going. Progress Drive also has an excellent strike-rate and will have benefited from his fourth over course and distance when he wasn’t beaten far. Lough Derg Jewel jumped like an old hand at Ayr and already looks like making a better chaser than hurdler while Justforjames still has time on his side but Crest and Bako De La Saulaie may be better for this run.
Tomngerry (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, tracked leaders after 6th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, just held near finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Desert Cry (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Progress Drive (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, went 3rd from 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Brio Conti (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Justforjames (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Chased leader, led 9th until next, chased winner until pushed along after 3 out, chased leading pair under pressure until weakened between last 2, 5th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Kalondra (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Central Flame 40-1 (11-6) With leader and keen, mistake 10th, quickly lost place and dropped into rear, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Lough Derg Jewel (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Jumped well, made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, driven out, unchallenged, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Chateau Robin (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Crest 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leader, slow 6th and lost a few places, 5th and slight mistake next, mistake 10th, slight mistake next and soon pulled up, at Tipperary 2m 7f gd in May.
Bako De La Saulaie (FR) 11-4fav (12-2) Held up mid-division, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led run-in, driven out, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Joseph Mercer (10-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
