I Just Know won the North Yorkshire Grand National over these fences in 2018 but remains 4lb higher and he’s hard to fancy in current form. One Style will likely be a short-priced favourite after a couple of wide-margin wins at the end of last year but he’s gone up 19lb and there may be better value elsewhere. LOUGH DERG JEWEL was in need of the run at Haydock and also hampered. Brian Hughes keeps faith with the gelding, who will be sharper today. Get On The Yager remains out of sorts and Cairnshill has gone backwards while Cultram Abbey isn’t getting any younger.
I Just Know (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, lost place before 3rd, well beaten 15th, pulled up before 4 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Cultram Abbey 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, challenged after last, weakened run-in, 5th of 7, 13l behind Claud And Goldie (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
One Style (FR) 5-6fav (11-7) Made all, well clear when not fluent 3 out and 2 out, unchallenged, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Cougar's Gold (11-12) by 20l, 5 ran.
Get On The Yager 5-1 (11-8) With leaders, pecked 2nd, led 5th to 6th, led 10th to 4 out, every chance when not much room and stumbled badly 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Townshend (12-0) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Lough Derg Jewel (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Prominent on outside, bumped 1st, slow next, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, 17l behind Ravenhill Road (11-9) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Rock On Fruity (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Not that fluent in rear, blundered badly 15th, well beaten before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Justforjames (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Behind most of way, lost touch 10th, mistake next, tailed off when pulled up after 5 out, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Cairnshill (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, plugged on from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 15 3/4l behind Iwilldoit (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
