This will take some getting in the likely conditions so we'll side with the proven stamina of SUPREME KEANO ahead of Its Teescomponents and Its A Classic. Our selection hails from the in-form yard of Jonjo O'Neill and arrives on the back of a solid second over further. That effort came on heavy ground at Haydock so there can be little doubt he stays this far and more, whilst his best efforts have all come on this sort of ground. Ritchie McLernon takes off a valuable 3lb and that can help this strapping son of Supreme Leader go one better. Its Teescomponents loves to bounce out in front and when she gets into a rhythm can be hard to beat, as displayed by a game success last time. This 8lbs higher mark demands more but she's had a good break to recover from those exertions and should run well off a nice racing weight. Its A Classic is a slightly speculative addition to the shortlist as this gelding was beaten into third off a lower mark last time. However, that race came just four days after a 30 length success at Towcester and it's fair to assume it may have come too soon in which case he'd certainly have each way claims at the very least. Justwhateverulike won nicely enough last time to suggest this mark might not prove insurmountable, but it's doubtful he'd want the ground quite this soft particularly over 3m4f and we're prepared to overlook the nine-year-old. Hockenheim is talented enough and can jump flamboyantly when on song but saddling top weight will be a tough task so of more interest for those seeking value is Royal Mackintosh who will be suited by stepping down in trip. This will be a thorough test of stamina and our selection Supreme Keano looks the best equipped to find the right answers.
Hockenheim (FR) 4-1 (11-6) With leader, led approaching 8th, headed 3 out, looking held in 2nd when blundered 2 out, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Nirvana Swing (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 12th, weakened 5 out, pulled up after next, in a race won by BallaBriggs (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Supreme Keano (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Not fluent and jumped right, well in rear, reminders before 5th and 14th, headway after 17th, chased winner before 3 out, no impression when jumped right 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Boris The Blade (10-4) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Star Player (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) In touch, mistake 3rd, lost place after 8th, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Its Teescomponents (10-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, headway and in touch 14th, went 2nd between last 2, challenged when mistake last, ridden and stayed on to lead flat, held on towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Nirvana Swing (10-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Royal Mackintosh 6-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 17l behind L'aventure (10-11) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Its A Classic 3-1fav (12-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Shaking Hands (11-3) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Its Teescomponents (IRE) 3-1fav (10-1) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, ridden between last 2, stayed on well flat, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Sammy Spiderman (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Chernik (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon lost place, in rear when pulled up after 8th, in a race won by Dark Ben (10-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
