Johnbb will have found the minimum trip too short at Sandown but battled to victory and will make a bold bid to follow up despite a 6lb rise. Just Don't Ask hasn't done as well as expected after scoring at Wetherby in January though showed a bit more dash over this track and trip last time. ECEPARTI, a winner over fences in France, has returned to the bigger obstacles in top form having completed a double with a very easy victory at Wetherby. He's up a massive 11lb and racing in stronger company but looks the type to go on to better things. Fort Gabriel wins his share but usually on much quicker ground than he'll face here and though Le Coeur Net would be capable of winning this at his best he was engaged in the 3.00 at Newbury yesterday.
Johnbb (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Close up, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden to lead on landing last, ran on, won at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Paddy's Poem (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Just Don't Ask (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, tracked leaders after 5 out, challenged next, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced and no impression before last, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Espoir De Guye (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Eceparti (FR) Evensfav (11-11) Mostly jumped well and always travelling, went 2nd after 5th, led next, clear after 5 out, went left at fences in home straight, ridden out, readily, won at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Craiganboy (11-6) by 12l, 8 ran.
Fort Gabriel (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling 10th, well beaten 4 out, 8th of 11, 34 3/4l behind Premier King (10-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Le Coeur Net (FR) 9-4 (11-10) Chased leaders, not much room, switched right and went 2nd before last, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Duhallow Lad (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
