Minella Tipperary can account for the likes of Dark Corner, Mylo and Hello It's Me. There is a large turnout here, but quite a few can be safely ruled out, and in truth the Hobbs camp will be quietly confident of Minella Tipperary adding to his tally. Twice successful between the flags in Ireland, he has won three of his five starts since coming over, including at Ascot last time when he showed plenty of resilience. The soft ground will play to his strengths again here, and despite creeping up the weights, it is hard to escape his claims. Dark Corner has his first handicap outing and should go well, although his future surely lies over fences, while Mylo had been out of form until putting in a decent effort at Lingfield despite the heavy going. If that was no flash in the pan then he should make his presence felt. Hello It's Me scored here in December, but failed to cope with a penalty at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, so is upped in trip here. He may be in the shake-up but is not one to rely on strongly. Koumba and Rockys Girl have light enough weights and hail from stable's doing well, but Minella Tipperary will be hard to beat.
Jaloux d'Estruval (FR) 66-1 (10-3) Mid-division, hit 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 14th, 8th of 14, well behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Minella Tipperary (IRE) 4-1fav (11-6) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec beating Lothian Falcon (11-4) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Wotchalike (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) In rear and not jumped well, headway after 4 out, one pace, 7th of 16, 24l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Mylo 33-1 (10-1) In touch, headway t6th, led approaching 3 out, headed soon after, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Alfasonic (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Dark Corner 25-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Joaaci (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division until 5th, gradually lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Stars Delight (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft, 11 ran.
What Do'in (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 6th, hit and weakened 8th, 5th of 7, 42l behind Dinnie Flanagan (10-8) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Im A Witness (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division until weakened 7th, 12th of 15, 49l behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Tiger Tips Lad (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Towards rear, saddle slipped and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Point 33-1 (11-12) Always in rear, hit 1st, tailed when pulled up 2 out in race won by Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Koumba (FR) 25-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, stayed on again flat, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Stars Delight (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Buzybakson (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Tradingup (10-3) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Nov, 11 ran.
Rockys Girl 9-2 (11-4) Behind, headway approaching 5th, ridden and carried wide approaching 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Milton Des Bieffes (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
Ashgan (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Never a factor, 6th of 13, well behind Bridge Flight (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs (5) gs in Nov.
Edgehill (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, outpaced after next, kept on, 4th of 7, 12l behind Bafana Boy (10-3) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Hello It's Me 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort before 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind dhtrs Nobodys Perfect (11-1) & Cloudmor (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Simple Glory (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Struggling from halfway, 8th of 15, well behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
