Verdict

Ornais, Over The Creek and Here's Johnny look the trio to concentrate upon and we chance the last named. Victor Dartnell's charge has always looked a chaser in the making and his price would have been much shorter had he not put up a below par effort last time out. His second in the Feltham reads well in the context of this race and if he stays the trip, he holds very solid claims indeed. Ornais had a battalion of entries at the beginning of the week and connections have settled this one. He won unchallenged at Newbury and is still very much unexposed. Over The Creek is a likeable enough sort who has had more than his fair share of problems over the years. He won in listed company at the track in December but has been turned over twice. In Accord would be a danger if settling early. That is the key to him obtaining a clear round. Back On Line is a progressive mare that has thrived since the turn of the year. Old Benny attempts to graduate out of novice company and is entirely workmanlike in how he does things. Beantown won readily in a Beginners' event at Navan but knows how to win around here. A tough race for punters to solve and we are with Here's Johnny.

Formwatch

Ice Tea (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders until weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, 34l behind Albertas Run (11-7) at Ascot 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.

Leading Authority (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, blundered 12th, weakened 4 out, left poor 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 10, well behind Crystal d'Ainay (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f Grad Ch (2) gs in Feb.

Millards Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 19th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 7l behind The Luder (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.

Ornais (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Made all, hit 4 out, soon ridden, in command from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb beating Old Benny (11-0) by 18l, 5 ran.

Over The Creek 11-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, under pressure 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 7, 27l behind Albertas Run (11-7) at Ascot 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.

The King of Angels (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 14th, weakened 16th, blundered next, no chance when pulled up 4 out in race won by Mokum (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb, 8 ran.

Beantown (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Always prominent, led and disputed from 7th, stayed on well under pressure to draw clear run-in, won at Navan 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Jan beating Parrot Cay (11-12) by 7l, 18 ran.

Dreux (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along 7th, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 25l behind The Real Deal (10-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.

Here's Johnny (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Held up behind leaders, hit 4th and 5th, reminders, disputed 2nd 14th, soon ridden, weakened before 4 out, blundered 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Ornais (11-8) at Newbury 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb, 5 ran.

In Accord 11-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, stayed on under pressure to lead approaching last, ridden out, won at Doncaster 3m beg chs (4) gd beating Contact Dancer (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.

Menchikov (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) In touch, mistake 8th, led 12th, headed approaching 4 out, joined leader when mistake 3 out, left in lead and blundered badly last, won at Ludlow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Feb beating Harringay (10-7) by 23l, 10 ran.

Pass It On (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Not always fluent, held up in last, mistake 12th, reminders after next, weakening when mistake 14th, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 5, well behind Beat The Boys (11-8) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.

Rimsky (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 18, 20l behind Comply Or Die (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.

Sherwoods Folly 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 14th, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Antonius Caesar (10-13) by 7l, 7 ran.

Back On Line (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb beating The Gangerman (11-5) by 19l, 6 ran.

Niche Market (IRE) 28-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, mistake 15th, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Neptune Collonges (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Feb.

Old Benny 17-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden in close 3rd 4 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 18l behind Ornais (11-8) at Newbury 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb.

Oulart (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led from 2nd, headed 6 out, pushed along when fell in race won by Dante Hall (11-7) at Navan 3m nov chs sft, 12 ran.

Sandhurst (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up, 7th after halfway, 5th after 4 out, no impression from next, kept on, 4th of 11, 10l behind Pomme Tiepy (10-6) at Navan 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.

Sizing Australia (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, reminders 7th, pulled up before 10th pulled up at the 10th in race won by Notre Pere (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec, 12 ran.