Verdict

Drom was well supported on his debut for Robin Dickin at Towcester on Sunday and galloped on strongly after making all. A 7lb penalty won't help but he's a threat now he's found his form. ESTEEM is also penalised for a comfortable success at Ludlow last week where he was always travelling like a winner. He's still on a very fair mark, however, and his jockey's claim should be enough to complete a quick double. My Faithful Annie is another who has slipped down the weights and she gained her first success over fences when beating Kinkeel at Huntingdon but a line through the runner-up gives her a massive amount to find with Drom. Cesium was in superb form around this time two years ago and looked on the way back with a decent effort over hurdles last week.

Formwatch

Drom 3-1fav (11-12) Made virtually all, carried right by loose horse 5th, clear after 4 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Billy Murphy (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.

Cesium (FR) 6-1 (11-3) In touch, hampered 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and edged right under pressure between last 2, stayed on to go 2nd last, no impression when hung right towards finish, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Tickatack (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.

Rustic Gold 50-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, slight lead, headed 7th, weakened soon after, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind American Cricket (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hdl (5) sft.

Carriglea Wood (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) In rear, not fluent 1st, behind from next, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Prospect Wells (11-5) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.

Esteem 9-4fav (9-7) Held up, mistake 1st, not fluent next, jumped left and bumped 4th, steady headway from 6th, led 4 out, drew clear from next, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs beating Laughing Game (9-9) by 5l, 9 ran.

Glenfly (IRE) 6-1fav (11-9) Prominent, led 6th until not fluent next, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 16, 46l behind One More Dinar (11-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Feb.

My Faithful Annie (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, challenged 7th, led 9th, headed after 3 out, mistake 2 out, hung right after last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft beating Kinkeel (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.

Ilongue (FR) 50-1 (9-9) Led from 2nd, headed before 4th, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Spot The Ball (10-13) at Southwell 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 13 ran.

Cloonavery (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Held up behind, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 44l behind Ajzal (11-4) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.

Killfinnan Castle (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, outpaced by leaders 15th, weakened approaching 4 out, mistake last, 3rd of 7, 22l behind One More Dinar (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp ch 0-95 (5) gs.

Ben Trovato (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, slow 7th, soon lost place, detatched 8th, pulled up 13th, in a race won by Miss Fleur (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 7 ran.