Mikasa has gone up 3lbs for his defeat of Bob's Buster over course and distance two weeks ago and on previous evidence he is none too consistent so looks worth taking on with Glenfarclas Boy, who is preferred to Go Nomadic. Like a lot of the stable's runners, the selection stepped up on form during the autumn when seen this winter here recently when chasing home Bob's Buster. Glenfarclas Boy had Mikasa behind that day and is taken to confirm that form. Jballingall is better than he showed at Wetherby last time but may be a shade high in the weight snow, while Assumetheposition is less exposed than most of these at the age of six but needs to improve. Jimmys Duky has claims on the pick of his form but has not shown that for some time and a safer bet looks to be Glenfarclas Boy, who is taken to give Lucinda Russell another winner.
Glenfarclas Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, mistake 4th, not fluent 9th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, one pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Bob's Buster (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Assumetheposition (FR) 25-1 (11-0) fell in race won by Lubinas (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Go Nomadic 11-4 (11-7) Made most to 4 out, one pace from next, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Dark Thunder (9-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in May.
Jballingall 7-2jt-fav (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Sound Of Cheers (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Mikasa (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway 5 out, effort 3 out, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Bob's Buster (12-1) by 3l, 5 ran.
Pornic (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Led, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 36l behind Silver Seeker (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Jimmys Duky (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Held up, headway 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 14, 22l behind Almire Du Lia (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov.
Jupsala (FR) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 40l behind Another Club Royal (10-3) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jan.