Coup Royale lost his way over fences last season but it will be interesting to see how he fares back over the smaller obstacles as he's nicely treated on his best form. Royal Riviera has been woefully out of form lately, however, while Sarando is another needing to rediscover his best but De Blacksmith is on an upward curve and jockey bookings suggest he's the pick of Gary Moore's two runners. Likearollingstone may be a shade high in the weights now but Madame Jasmine could figure as she was biting off more than she could chew at Kempton over Christmas, though seems better over extreme distance. KUILSRIVER has never realised his undoubted potential but knows his way around here and gets on well with useful 7lb claimer Tom Garner - he may be the one to beat.
De Blacksmith (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, remained close up, pressed leader last, rallied run-in, led close home, won at Plumpton 2m 5f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Jan beating Shuh Shuh Gah (11-6) by shd, 10 ran.
Sircozy (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, some headway under pressure approaching 2 out, soon no further progress, 7th of 18, 21l behind Oscara Dara (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Likearollingstone (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, every chance next, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 25l behind Minella Special (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Kuilsriver (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in touch and raced wide, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 6th of 14, 19l behind Mr Watson (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sarando 33-1 (11-1) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, mistake 3 out, no extra from next, 6th of 8, 32l behind Storm Survivor (9-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Madame Jasmine 16-1 (10-5) Led until 1st, prominent, ridden after 7th, lost place from next, tailed off before 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Tweedledrum (9-7) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
Coup Royale (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, headway 12th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Hunt Ball (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb '12, 10 ran.
Royal Riviera 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 14, 37l behind Amigo (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Leeroar (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, no extra before last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Whispering Gallery (11-5) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.