Off The Wall disappointed earlier this month but still has plenty of scope over fences. Moleskin, on the other hand, is approaching the veteran stage and may prefer better ground. Upton Mead appears to have two ways of running but Taffy Thomas is starting to look well treated as he's now 6lb lower than for his last victory. FITANDPROPERJOB finally got his act together here last week and ran out an easy winner. That wasn't much of a race but his confidence should now be sky-high and he can double his tally off the same mark with Charlie Deutsch again taking off 7lb. Witch's Hat is preferred to Petit Ecuyer of the others.
Moleskin (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 6th and weakening when mistake 11th, tailed off, 6th of 11, 47l behind Ballinvarrig (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Off The Wall (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) In rear, headway 9th, pushed along 14th, weakening when blundered 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by High Ron (11-4) at Southwell 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy, 5 ran.
Upton Mead (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Soon led, headed 4th, chased leader, led again 9th until 11th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders under pressure, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 13, 14l behind Rhum (11-0) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp ch 0-125 (3) hvy.
Petit Ecuyer (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous, last of 7, well behind Fiftyonefiftyone (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Taffy Thomas 10-1 (10-1) Behind, steady headway after 9th, pushed along in 3rd when left 2nd 4 out, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, weakened from last, 6th of 13, 9l behind Rhum (11-0) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp ch 0-125 (3) hvy.
Fitandproperjob 9-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 8th, mistake 3 out, challenged after next, led last, pushed clear flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f cond hcp chs (5) sft beating Thedreamstillalive (10-5) by 10l, 9 ran.
Witch's Hat (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) With leader, led narrowly 3rd, headed 4 out, outpaced in 3rd after next, soon no chance with front pair, left modest 2nd last, lost place flat, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Bill The Lad (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
