Twojayslad won a veterans’ chase at Doncaster last month but none of those behind have franked the form. Crown Hill’s recent second at Huntingdon came over hurdles and he’s not raced over fences since May 2018. Minella Bobo disappointed on his second start over the larger obstacles at Ascot but Grand Turina looked to be coming to hand when third at Uttoxeter. KILPIN was never getting to Volcano at Warwick but the latter had won his previous start here so the form looks solid and Finn Lambert’s claim can help the Twiston-Davies runner to finally get his head in front.
Minella Bobo (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Held up in touch on inside, struggling 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, last of 7, 31 3/4l behind Demachine (11-6) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Kilpin (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Prominent, hampered 13th, went 2nd after 3 out, driven 2 out, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Volcano (11-8) at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Grand Turina 18-1 (11-8) Midfield, took closer order 6th, pushed along for effort 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden next, kept on one pace from last, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Neil The Legend (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Young Turk (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden after the 5th, soon detached and tailed off, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Crown Hill (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, went 2nd 2 out, challenging when carried left last, led flat, headed post, 2nd of 9, shd behind The Tin Miner (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Twojayslad 4-1fav (10-1) Midfield, headway to lead 4 out, hit next, ridden approaching last, hung right flat but kept on well, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Rathlin Rose (11-11) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Troed Y Melin (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Jumped slowly 1st, chased leader, led narrowly 4th until before 3 out, lost 2 places next, weakened into 5th run-in, 5th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Favori De Sivola (10-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Mount Oliver (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) Prominent, pecked 2nd, lost place when not fluent next, blundered 5th, not fluent 8th, ridden when not fluent 11th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 2 out, at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Stupid Cupid (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Midfield, travelled smoothly behind leaders approaching 2 out, pushed after 2 out, kept on one pace behind leading trio, 4th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Ragamuffin (10-4) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
