Finnegan's Garden slips further down the weights despite some fair efforts this season. He’s now 4lb lower than when landing this 12 months ago and will take advantage of any cracks in the make-up of DEMOPOLIS. The latter won his only start over fences at Ludlow at this time last year, however, despite making mistakes and has been in good form over the smaller obstacles this winter. Flaminger has struggled in better company since scoring at Fontwell on his reappearance but can’t be ignored but Ferrobin is only a plater over hurdles nowadays.
Flaminger (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Led until jumped slowly and headed 3rd, chased leader until after 8th, weakened quickly and behind next, tailed off and pulled up soon after, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ferrobin (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, mid-division, nudged along approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 37 1/2l behind Paricolor (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) hvy in Jan.
Uncle Danny (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Towards rear, stumbled on landing 1st, lost touch 12th, tailed off when not fluent 4 out, no extra, 5th of 7, dist behind Earth Moor (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Demopolis (FR) 11-10fav (10-11) In touch, headway 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, led before next, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Cawthorne Lad (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Finnegan's Garden (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Close up, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Protek Des Flos (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.