Verdict

JIGSAW DANCER looks on course to make it two wins on the bounce but will have strong challenges from Back Among Friends and Sole Agent to contend with. Andrew Turnell's six-year-old was on fine form last season and has continued that through to this campaign. He was a winner last time out on his seasonal reappearance when he streaked clear to win by 10 lengths. The performance suggested this one is still on the improve so the 11lbs rise in weights shouldn't be beyond him. Back Among Friends had a poor end to his season last term but has returned this time around looking like the animal that has placed four times so far in his career. That return, his first outing since April, was his last run where he was caught close home after a front running performance. Not that open to improvement, he will have benefited from that opening gambit this season and is helped by racing off the same mark. Sole Agent for Gary Moore is another to consider as he receives weight from the main protagonists. He ran a solid seasonal reappearance race to finish a remote runner-up, the signs are he should come on from that a bit and he remains 11lbs lower than his last winning mark. Quartano has a chance on last season's form and should be fit enough after a break but we go with the slightly sharper Jiigsaw Dancer.

Formwatch

Jigsaw Dancer (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chased leader, left 2nd 6th, led 8th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Oiseau de Nuit (11-6) by 10l, 6 ran.

Quartano (GER) 7-4fav (11-0) Chased clear leader, hit 3rd, ridden to lead approaching 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 12l behind The Jazz Musician (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.

Back Among Friends 16-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, reduced lead 5th, headed soon after 8th, stayed in 2nd place, never any chance with winner from 3 out, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Gauvain (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.

Le Burf (FR) 16-1 (10-1) Took keen hold in touch, not fluent 2nd, weakened from 2 out, 15th of 19, 17l behind Katies Tuitor (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.

Brave Villa (FR) 22-1 (10-3) Chased winner until weakened well before 4 out, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 11 ran.

Roofing Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up, hit 6th, some progress 8th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, last of 5, well behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.

Miss Pross 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, chased leaders after 5 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 13l behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.

Sole Agent (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up, tracked winner from 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.

Anglican (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind and mistakes, weakened 12th and pulled up 3 out in race won by King Barry (11-8) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.