MONARCH'S WAY didn't run at all badly at Warwick last time in open handicap company and looks on a fair mark. He's not a leading light of his stellar stable but already has a win to his name and was most unlucky not to score at Leicester too. Jubail has achieved little since joining the McCain team from Alan King but has been highly tried and this appears a more realistic assignment. He's well worth keeping an eye on in the market. Drumlang blew out over fences at Ascot last time but impressed previously when landing a couple of hurdles in fine style and will be a danger to all if recapturing that level back over timber. The consistent Dormouse also warrants a mention whilst A Little Bit Dusty needs to step up on efforts in lesser company to figure but probably has the ability to do so.
Noble Crusader (USA) 33-1 (11-6) Always in rear, mistake 2nd, pushed along approaching 6th, soon behind, pulled up 5 out, in a race won by Oscar Gogo (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 15 ran.
Jubail (IRE) 10-3 (10-9) Tracked winner, ridden and lost place after 4 out, behind from next, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, 40l behind Afsoun (11-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Maslak (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, lost place 4th, soon detatched, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Praxiteles (10-13) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May, 9 ran.
Tweedledrum 6-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 4th, chased leaders next, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, moderate 5th, 5th of 7, well behind Miss Milborne (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dormouse 10-1 (11-4) Behind, struggling 4 out, headway 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 10, 10l behind Fairynuff (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Monarch's Way 7-2fav (11-7) Prominent, went 2nd after 3rd, challenged 3 out, not fluent next, edged right and stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 15, 4l behind Roll The Dice (11-4) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
James Pollard (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Mid-division, weakened after 5th, 6th of 12, 40l behind Chesil Beach Boy (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Vertueux (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, losing place when hit 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Elegant Olive (9-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Drumlang (IRE) 2-1fav (10-8) Held up in last pair, slow 8th, mistake and beaten next, soon behind and eased, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind All For Free (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
A Little Bit Dusty 9-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2nd, mistake 3 out, led approaching 2 out, in command last, ridden out, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo clm hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Bathwick Scanno (10-1) by 5l, 5 ran.
Tayarat (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Led, jumped left, soon clear, headed when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 20l behind Aviso (11-1) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gs in Jan.
Realisation (USA) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden after 4th, well behind after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Johnny Owen (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
Shilpa (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Held up, headway after 2 out, mistake last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 9, 13l behind Double Handful (10-6) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Dar Es Salaam 13-2 (10-4) In rear, poor 7th 3 out, stayed on after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, went 2nd last, closed on all out winner close home, not quite get up, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Well Green (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
