Jonjo O’Neill runs two in a race that probably won’t take much winning. Jockey booking suggest HANG TOUGH is preferred to Anywayyoulookatit so the seven-year-old gets the nod. He’s tried in cheekpieces after a slightly below-par effort last time at Lingfield and has won over further on heavy going. Cudgel didn’t get far last time at Musselburgh but did win twice at Hexham at the end of last year so goes well on stiff tracks. Winning pointer Tour De Pub is probably better than he showed at Musselburgh and is visored for the first time – he may have more scope than Lex Talionis and Flaming Glory.
Anywayyoulookatit (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along before 15th, weakened quickly soon after, left remote 5th 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Favori De Sivola (10-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Mance Rayder (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up 2 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Lex Talionis (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, jumped slow at 1st, outpaced 16th, rallied from 4 out, lacked pace to challenge from 2 out, 4th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Ede'iffs Elton (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
According To Alex (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Held up, blundered 6th, pulled up before 15th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Hang Tough 11-8fav (11-0) Prominent, led 5th, headed 7th, led again 13th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 21 1/2l behind Little Red Lion (11-13) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
King Of Fashion (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, mistake and lost place next, closed 5th, struggling 13th, well behind next, pulled up before 4 out, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Tour De Pub (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Mid-division, dropped to rear when blundered 12th, never on terms after, 6th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Petite Ganache (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Newlands Cross (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, rallied on long run approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 18l behind Silent Man (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Cudgel 7-1 (10-11) Went left and unseated rider 1st, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Flaming Glory (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden 3f out, plugged on past beaten horses over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 15l behind Armattiekan (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Marvellous Joe (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, pushed along to keep touch after 6th, soon ridden, weakened and pulled up before 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.