tracked leader, not fluent 2 out, 5 lengths down and no impression when left clear at the last, ridden and briefly pressed run-in, asserted final 110 yards
led and mostly jumped well, 5 lengths ahead and going strongly when stumbled on landing and unseated rider last
off the pace in 4th, closer in 3rd after 3 out, pushed along and weakened into 4th next, left remote 3rd last
held up in 3rd, outpaced when lost 3rd before 3 out, regained 3rd before next, left in 3 lengths 2nd at the last, ridden hung left and stayed on run-in, weakened final 110 yards
MIGHTY TOM was beaten 10 lengths when second in a Cork Grade 3 but that was a promising start against a more-experienced and well-backed rival. He could build on that here even though JPR One beat two potentially-useful recruits at Newton Abbot and Homme Public was equally impressive in a decent handicap at Wetherby. Petit Tonnerre is pitched in at the deep end on his chasing bow but was a useful handicap hurdler who should handle the larger obstacles.
Homme Public (FR) 5-2fav (12-0) Held up in rear, headway before 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Geromino (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
JPR One (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up in last, pressed leader going easily 3 out, soon led, kept on well from 2 out, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) hvy in Oct beating Monviel (10-7) by 2l, 3 ran.
Mighty Tom (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in touch in rear, mistake 7th, headway 4 out, 3rd next, soon challenged travelling well, disputed when reached for 2 out, headed after 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Letsbeclearaboutit (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Petit Tonnerre (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway approaching last where bumped, kept on well final 100 yards, 7th of 24, 6 1/4l behind Faivoir (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
