Verdict

JIM BOBS GIRL can take advantage of a slightly lower hurdling mark to score here, while Scott's Mill and Longdale should give her a bit to think about. Tim Vaughan's mare Jim Bobs Girl stays longer than the mother-in-law and acts with plenty of cut in the ground. She won off this mark over fences in November and has put in respectable efforts from higher marks since in that sphere. Now switched back to the smaller obstacles she can take advantage to win again. Scott's Mill receives 23lbs from the selection here, a weight differential that should not be underestimated on such a testing surface. Sue Smith's gelding is another switching back to hurdles after a good effort over fences here last time. He is unproven on heavy ground but does handle it soft, and whether he will be good enough remains to be seen. Longdale was a two-and-a-half mile winner here on Boxing Day and also on soft going but he is another unproven on heavy. This trip is well beyond anything he has tried thus far but there is stamina on both sides of his pedigree and he may well get home. Don't Be Bleu is another unproven in the conditions but she has stamina in abundance and looks to be on a competitive mark, so she is respected. Moustique de L'Isle likes it around here and relishes the mud, so from his current mark he'd be entitled to go close, but we will take Jim Bobs Girl to score.

Formwatch

Jim Bobs Girl (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) With leader, led 13th to next, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Orki Des Aigles (10-6) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.

Don't Be Bleu (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division when fell at the 7th in race won by Ferimon (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 12 ran.

Of Course (FR) 50-1 (10-8) Close up on outside, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 16, well behind Glenary (9-11) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.

Glen Omen (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Led until after 1st, chased leader, hit 8th, weakening when hampered on bend soon after, 11th of 18, well behind Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.

Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 10-1 (11-1) pulled up at the 12th in race won by Natoumba (11-3) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.

Michaels Dream (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Tracked leader, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Twelve Paces (9-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 13 ran.

Pre Token 15-2 (10-7) Led, blundered 1st, joined 2 out, soon headed, beaten when fell at the last in race won by Overlady (10-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.

Longdale 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on to lead approaching last and driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec beating Dark Gentleman (11-7) by 2l, 14 ran.

Classic Quart (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until fell at the 6th in race won by Delightfully (11-11) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 18 ran.

Capybara (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) In touch, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 47l behind Minella Boys (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.

Queen of Diamonds (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened from next, 7th of 15, 36l behind Percutant (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.

Scott's Mill 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost place halfway, ridden 4 out and kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Smart Thinker (9-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.

Youluckyman (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division when hampered and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Delightfully (11-11) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 18 ran.