This race has cut up badly from the five day stage and Jimmy The Saint could be the answer to this with Ninja and The Hollinwell rated as the dangers. The selection ran a fair introduction on debut last month and can be expected to have improved for the experience. Ninja was a 50/1 shot on debut. As a son of Turtle Island, it would be no surprise to see him run well in gluepot conditions. Hollinwell did not help his rider by hanging under pressure at Towcester last time out. He looks to have ability though and he does have the most experienced jockey in the race. Ethel Briggs is a rare National Hunt runner for Michael Dods. Briarhill Lad might just need a little more time before we see him putting in his best work at the track. Not a lot to go on without the evidence of the market but Jimmy The Saint appears to be the best of those to have faced the starter so far.
Briarhill Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) In touch, effort over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 25l behind Northern Blaze (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy.
Desert Bay (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 26l behind Doeslessthanme (10-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs.
Farriers Flight 66-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 14th of 19, well behind Crackerjack Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs.
Jardines Jack 125-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Le Platino (10-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec.
Jimmy The Saint (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to chase winner over 2f out, ridden and soon one pace, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Knockara Beau (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn nhf (4) hvy in Jan.
Ninja (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Towards rear, effort 5f out, ridden and chased leaders over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 15, 25l behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
The Hollinwell 9-1 (11-4) Held up, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, ridden and edged right, swerved left and headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Nulato (11-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Ethel Briggs 25-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Dancingwithbubbles (11-9) at Southwell 2m mrs nhf (6) gd in Jan.
