Cilliseal is accustomed to carrying big weights and has been running well this season. There's no reason why he won't be thereabouts again. But we'll give a final chance to SAM PATCH, who is 5lb better off than when beaten just over two lengths by Samson Collonges at Hexham two runs ago. Second again over 2m4f at Newcastle last time, he's still on a decent mark. Sue Smith should find a small race soon for Whiskey Ridge and Blazing Bull has another try over fences having looked one-paced over hurdles. What A Dream and Highland River could also be given a chance in an open-looking contest.
Cilliseal (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place when not fluent 4th, mistake next, headway from 13th, blundered 3 out, went 2nd next, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Shadow Boxer (10-3) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
What A Dream 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 9l behind Billy Cuckoo (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Highland River 40-1 (11-0) In touch in 4th, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, last of 5, 7l behind Representingceltic (11-0) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (5) std in Jan.
Blazing Bull (IRE) 9-2fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden when mistake 7th, no impression on leaders 2 out, 4th of 13, 16l behind Notonebuttwo (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Whiskey Ridge (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed 10th, outpaced next, jumped right last, left 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, well behind Gorey Lane (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Sam Patch 5-1 (11-2) Towards rear, outpaced 8th, headway before 4 out, chased winner from last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Dingo Bay (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Samson Collonges (FR) 5-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, fell 9th, in a race won by Shadow Boxer (10-3) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
