Thedrinkymeister will appreciate the return to testing going and should be sharper for last month’s comeback run at Newcastle and Johanos is another expected to improve for a recent reappearance. Looks Like Power remains 13lb higher than his latest success but the handicapper has finally relented with ICE COOL CHAMPS and he can race off a 5lb lower mark than when finishing a close-up fourth at Haydock last time. Philip Hobbs’ charge may prove good enough in this. Late Romantic and Cobolobo have more scope than most over fences and both went close on their penultimate starts while Scotchtown showed signs of a resurgence at Newbury last time.
Thedrinkymeister (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Pressed winner, led 4 out, headed before next, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Ascot De Bruyere (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Looks Like Power (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Behind, mistake 6th, headway 3 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 10, 8 1/2l behind Virginia Chick (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Ice Cool Champs (IRE) 9-2 (12-3) Led until approaching 4th, remained prominent, led after 6th, mistake 4 out, headed before next, rallied 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Tomkevi (11-8) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
On The Road (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, slow and reminder 5th, jumped right 6th and 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up well in rear, some headway before 4 out, weakening when pulled up before last, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Johanos (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Raced wide, chased leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd 13th, led 4 out, headed before next, weakened between last 2, 4th of 11, 10l behind Chosen Path (11-7) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Lord Bryan (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader after 2nd, not fluent 6th, led 13th, headed 3 out, kept on to press for 3rd from last, 4th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Mister Malarky (11-10) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Late Romantic (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Led, blundered 6 out, soon headed, rallied after 4 out, every chance next, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Ange Des Malberaux (10-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cobolobo (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Mid-division, outpaced when mistake 4 out, headway 2 out, never on terms, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Reikers Island (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Millanisi Boy 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went at 7th until pushed along after 11th, chased leading pair until ridden before 3 out (normal 4 out) weakened and pulled up before next, at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Knockanrawley (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, hit 4th, blundered and lost place 14th, pulled up before next, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Scotchtown (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Chased leader, led 5th, joined 4 out, headed 2 out, chased leader, until ridden between last 2, rallied to hold every chance run-in, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Carole's Destrier (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Newtown Lad (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place 12th, disputing 6th when mistake and unseated rider 4 out, at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up, mistake 2nd, under pressure approaching omitted 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Greyed A (IRE) 11-4 (10-8) Chased leader until 5th, chased leading pair until 10th, went 2nd after 16th until jumped slowly next, chased leaders, hit 18th, weakened next, 4th of 6, dist behind Sharp Response (11-12) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Court Frontier (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Behind, tailed off 14th, kept on run-in, 5th of 11, 24l behind Achille (10-11) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Robinroyale (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Led until 2nd, with leader, mistake 6th, led again before 8th, driven last, headed and no extra run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Midnight Bliss (11-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Steel Native (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 5th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up after next, at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
