A maiden over timber, Clondaw Westie last ran over the smaller obstacles three years ago. Timetoroe has gone backwards since scoring at Bangor in August but Brummie Boys looks to be back on track and Sunset West has been on an upward curve. Precious Eleanor was second here in October and again at Ludlow last month while Mustang Alpha won over course and distance in November. CHAMPAGNESUPEROVER (NAP) came good at Ayr earlier this week following wind surgery and a penalty here may not halt his progress.
Champagnesuperover (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 4 out, mistake 3 out, travelled well into lead 2 out, ridden clear after last, easily, won at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Jan beating Honor Grey (11-5) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Electron Bleu (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, close up 6th, upsides when blundered 4 out, lost place when hampered on bend soon after, ridden in rear before 3 out, no extra, last of 8, dist behind Albert's Back (11-4) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Clondaw Westie (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) (cp) (tt) prsd ldr til led 6; hdd 11; wknd 4 out; t.o & pu last, at Kimble 2m 4f gs in Nov.
Sunset West (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Led, big jump 4 out, pushed along and headed after 2 out, kept on flat without troubling winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Enqarde (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Mustang Alpha (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Prominent, pushed along and weakened quickly before 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Bushypark (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Brummie Boys (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along and just kept pace with leaders over 2 out, soon outpaced after reminders, weakened before last, 4th of 12, 11l behind Poppa Poutine (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Precious Eleanor (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Mid-division, close up after 5th, disputed lead 3 out and 2 out, headed and ridden last, plugged on gamely but no extra final 110 yards, 2nd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Broken Quest (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Eros (FR) 5-4fav (12-0) Hdwy 9; chsd wnr 2 out; no ex flat, 3rd of 12, 5 3/4l behind Old Town Garde (11-7) at Wadebridge 3m mdn gs in Dec.
Timetoroe (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Led, headed 4th, tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, 30 1/2l behind Anythingforlove (11-2) at Lingfield 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Big Man Clarence (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 4th, led on long run before 2 out, headed last strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Bonza Girl (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.