Winning pointer Mister Tickle still held every chance when coming to grief at Kempton. Bubbles Of Gold went down with all guns blazing at Newcastle and is another who will appreciate the step up in trip. Ffos Las second Shaman Du Berlais should also stay on this sharp track but LYGON ROCK is the one they all have to beat. He has won only one of his eight races over timber but has solid handicap form to his name, including a second to subsequent Grade 1 winner Paisley Park at Aintree in October.
Lygon Rock (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 3rd, effort 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 5th of 12, 7l behind Aaron Lad (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Bubbles Of Gold (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, upsides 4 out, led narrowly before next, soon ridden, headed when not fluent 2 out, rallied to regain lead flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Diger Daudaie (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) gs in Dec.
Debacle 18-1 (10-0) Behind until blundered and unseated rider 3rd, at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Jones Well (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 4th aftr a mile & prog apr bypassed 3out, chall bef 2out, no ch wth easy wnr aftr 2out, ko, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Alnadam (12-2) at Dromahane 3m mdn gs in May.
Mister Tickle (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Raced wide, tracked leaders until after 2nd, handy in 3rd place, hit 4th, lost 3rd 6th, 3rd again after 8th, close 2nd travelling well when mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Kempton 3m 1f (3) gd in Jan.
Shaman Du Berlais (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in last trio, headway on outside chasing leaders 4th, went 2nd on extended run before 2 out, every chance last, hung left and no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Lamanver Pippin (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
