Jungleland is unexposed and judging by his recent Chepstow victory appears to be progressing. He has all the hallmarks of a staying chaser and his three initial outings resulted in a very lenient mark for his chasing debut for which the market significantly spoke in his favour. He runs off a rating of 120 today, 13lb higher than his handicap debut but the manner of his victory last time and the step up in trip means he could remain ahead of the assessor. Minella Tipperary has proved a real disappointment this season after a win in November suggested he could be a staying novice with a future. His jumping remains the problem and he is best watched as he has ampel time on his side. The Sawyer was a smart novice hurdler last season but has taken a while to adjust to his new discipline. He has been campaigned over trips short of his best during the season but when stepped back up to three miles last time, he duely obliged. There should not be much to choose between Contact Dancer and The Sawyer judged on their clash at Chepstow last time but a suspicion lingers about the well being of Peter Bowens' string. Jungleland could be a horse of real promise and is our selection.
The Sawyer (BEL) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway when not fluent 8th, went 2nd 5 out, led 4 out, driven out flat, won at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft beating Contact Dancer (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led until after 2nd, remained prominent, not fluent 13th, slightly outpaced 4 out, rallied last, stayed on flat to close on winner, always held, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind The Sawyer (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft.
Firth Of Forth (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) In rear, hit 7th, weakened after 12th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Himalayan Trail (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Jungleland (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Always prominent, pecked 2nd, led 13th, clear 3 out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Dere Lyn (10-3) by 13l, 11 ran.
Minella Tipperary (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, hit 3rd and 6th, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 17l behind Kings Euro (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
The Risky Viking (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Behind, some headway 5 out, 5th and beaten when blundered 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 18, 37l behind Comply Or Die (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Supreme Cara 7-2 (10-4) In touch, ridden 10th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 10, 42l behind Dr Hart (11-0) at Lingfield 3m beg chs (4) gd.
