Lough Derg is well treated judged by official BHB ratings and, while Martin Pipe's horses are still not firing on all cylinders, the six-year-old still looks worth a bet and is preferred to Briery Fox and Copsale Lad. The last mentioned disappointed over fences last term but has shown better form this season, including when landing a novice event at Lingfield when last seen in December in decent fashion. Nicky Henderson's gelding has to be respected along with Blue Business, although the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has failed to sparkle of late. Montgermont put up a career best effort when successful at Exeter last time but probably needs to improve again and a bigger threat may come from recent Fakenham winner Briery Fox, who represents the in-form yard of Henry Daly. The vote though goes to Lough Derg, who won nicely at Exeter in December and lost no caste in defeat at the same venue early on last month. A reproduction of either effort may suffice.
Briery Fox (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, every chance from 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (C) gd in Dec beating Yes Sir (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Copsale Lad Evensfav (11-6) Tracked leader, blundered and rider lost iron 8th, led 4 out, 2 lengths ahead and going well when left well clear 2 out, eased run-in, won at Lingfield 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Dec beating Phone Back (11-0) by a distance, 5 ran.
Lough Derg (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Led, mistake and headed briefly 7th, pecked 11th, driven along approaching next, headed 4 out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Idle Talk (11-10) at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Montgermont (FR) 7-2 (11-3) In touch, headway 9th, led approaching 4 out, ran on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Jan beating Reveillez (11-3) by 10l, 10 ran.
Blue Business 12-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place and not fluent 6th, soon ridden, struggling from next, 11th of 14, well behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Cloudy Blues (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, hit 7th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Merry Storm (10-9) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-88 (5) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
