Verdict

Sponthus has been hard to train but has found only one too good in both hurdle starts. Jacks Touch was second at Market Rasen having a first run for a new yard with Hymac third on his hurdles bow at Ffos Las. Hold Up La Colmine has run a couple of fair races in maidens at Chepstow and Technology should make a hurdler but there should be plenty more to come from HOE JOLY SMOKE (NAP). His second at Chepstow in October was franked when the winner followed up under a penalty and the third has also gone close since. Tea And Chats may be the danger having only been headed close home at Plumpton last month.

Formwatch

Also Known As (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along before 5th, well beaten 7th, swerved left to avoid faller and unseated rider last, at Exeter 2m 6f (3) gd in Nov.

Birdman Bob (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Raced wide in mid-division, plugged on in modest 4th 2 out, 4th of 12, 26 1/2l behind Givega (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (4) sft in Nov.

Cloudy Hills (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Last pair, lost touch after 4 out, soon well behind, last of 4, dist behind Midnight Centurion (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Mar.

Doubtcha Mossy Boy (IRE) 250-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden and weakened before normal 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, dist behind Knowsley Road (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Nov.

Getaway With You 250-1 (10-13) In rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.

Grey D'alco (FR) 22-1 (11-0) Handy early, rear mid-division after 3rd, pushed along and well behind home turn, plugged on from 3 out, 4th of 9, 32 3/4l behind Knowsley Road (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.

Hoe Joly Smoke 11-4fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Makin'yourmindup (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.

Hold Up La Colmine (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Prominent, travelling strongly before 3 out, asked for effort before 2 out, lost 2nd before last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 16, 26 1/2l behind Firestream (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Nov.

Hymac (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Prominent, pressed leader 3 out, pushed along 2 out, ridden and no extra run-in, 3rd of 14, 7 3/4l behind Spring Meadow (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.

Jail No Bail (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Close up, ridden 3f out, no impression on leaders but kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Spirits Bay (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Nov.

Libor Lad 100-1 (10-13) Raced keenly in mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders when ridden over 4f out, hung left and weakened 3f out, 9th of 12, 29l behind Bullets Hill (10-13) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Oct.

Sponthus (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, steady headway under pressure 2 out, went second before last, kept on run-in, no match for winner, 2nd of 16, 21l behind Firestream (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Nov.

Tea And Chats (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, led after 2nd, pushed along before 2 out, ridden after last, headed final 110yds, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Northern Poet (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.

Technology (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway out wide chasing leaders 7f out, came wide home turn, 3rd and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 12, 11 3/4l behind Tahmuras (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gs in Mar.

Jacks Touch (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Held up in 5th, closed after 3 out, every chance before 2 out, not much room and switched left before mistake last, held by winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Glen Cannel (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Nov.

Sumatran Tiger (FR) 5-2 (9-11) Held up, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Princess T (10-12) at Les Landes 1m 2f hcp fm in Aug.