Testing conditions may see a return to form for LUTIN COLLONGES and he is selected ahead of Tarsus and Kappelhoff. The last-named must be of interest given the trainer's profitable record at the track and Lydia Richards' gelding has won here before and is generally a consistent sort. However Lutin Collonges impressed with his jumping when winning at Plumpton on heavy ground in December. He was subsequently disappointing at Folkestone but has been dropped in the weights and could be dangerous if allowed to bowl along in front. Sarahs Gift is a 23-race maiden but didn't run badly in defeat behind Amble Forge on his latest start; a subsequent break may have freshened him up and he cannot be ruled out completely in a race of this weakness. Blinkers will need to have a miraculous effect on Napolito if he is to oblige off top-weight, Tarsus was gambled on the other day and was unlucky to bump into one too good and comes here in good form, whilst Bearneen Boy tries the first-time blinkers in the hope of eliciting some improvement. A weak race, with preference for Lutin Collonges.
Napolito (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 10th, weakened after 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mr Big (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (5) gd, 14 ran.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 22-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon weakened, hampered by loose horse 2 out, 9th of 12, well behind Laharna (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Tarsus 8-1 (11-1) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, soon headed, regained lead after 2 out, mistake and headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Kinkeel (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs (5) sft.
Kappelhoff (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and mistake 10th, hit 3 out, plugged on from next, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Royal Hilarity (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Sarahs Gift (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Led, headed 7th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 7, 11l behind Amble Forge (11-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Lutin Collonges (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Led to 9th, stayed handy, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Mr Big (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (5) gd.
Bearneen Boy (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Led until 4th, prominent, blundered 10th, weakened after next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Radetsky March (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
