A market move for Glen Tulloch would be of great interest but Tony Martin's gelding is hard to recommend on all known form and a safer bet looks to be Fisherman Jack, who gets the vote ahead of Wensley Blue. The last mentioned did all of his best work late on when successful at Kelso last time but a 7lb rise for that success leaves the eight-year-old with more to do so he may be best watched. Recent Edition has yet to sparkle this winter, while former hunter Thatlldoya faces no easy task at the weights against more experienced handicappers. Black Smoke stays well enough but Keith Reveley's gelding is probably better on a faster surface. The ground should not be a problem for Fisherman Jack though and, off what seems a fair mark, he gets the vote.
Black Smoke (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 9th, soon dropped rear, never dangerous after, 5th of 12, 35l behind Lucky Nellerie (10-9) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Recent Edition (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-3) Mid-division, dropped to rear 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Lucky Nellerie (10-9) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Thatlldoya 22-1 (11-3) Jumped right, tracked leader, led 9th to 13th, kept on same pace from 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 26l behind Bica (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs.
Glen Tulloch (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, progress into 6th 5 out, no impression from 3 out, 7th of 16, 37l behind Hordago (11-3) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 hvy in Dec.
Fisherman Jack 11-2 (11-1) Soon with leader, led 13th, ridden along from 3 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Casalani (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs (5) sft.
Wensley Blue (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Behind, mistakes, reminders after 11th, headway approaching last, stayed on to lead post, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft beating Lethem Present (11-2) by a hd, 14 ran.
Cionn Mhalanna (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, behind when slipped on landing and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Apple Joe 8-1 (10-11) Led to 13th, ridden 14th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, 35l behind Casalani (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs (5) sft.
