tracked leader, desputed lead after 7th, ridden and outpaced 5 out, rallied 3 out, led before last, stayed on
tracked leaders, blundered 7th, riddern after 5 out, effort 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
held up, outpaced 5 out, 4th and beaten when blundered and unseated rider last
held up, outpaced 5 out, soon beaten, pulled up before 2 out
led, ridden 2 out, headed when hit last, no extra flat
CAOUDALAS is nominated to break his duck over fences at the main expense of the enigmatic Corlande. Malcolm Jefferson's gelding has put in three fair efforts over the bigger obstacles this season, and now enters handicaps off a mark of 112. This looks about fair and seeing as he has no issue with soft ground and the track (second to Killyglen on his third bumper run), a big showing is expected. Corlande heads the weights here but he is not one to overlook too readily despite a poor showing last time at Newcastle. However he is now rated 116, and although he has run well off 111 before he still looks high enough in the weights. Sotovik was still going well when he blundered and unseated his jockey here back in February. Having been off since 2006 that was a good effort and it appears that he retains enough ability to make himself competitive today. Aston Lad is a course winner and Micky Hammond's experienced eight-year-old ran well last time when third to Silver By Nature and although he hasn't won since October 2006, it would be unwise to cross him off any shortlist. Something Silver tries a visor for the first time in the hope of eliciting some improvement after some lacklustre displays, and so it is Cadoudalas that we return to as the likeliest winner.
Corlande (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Tracked winner, lost place 10th, soon outpaced, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Daldini (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Cadoudalas (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) Held up in touch, blundered 9th, one pace 2 out, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Or d'Oudairies (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Aston Lad 50-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 9th, kept on 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Silver By Nature (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Sotovik (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders approaching 4 out, close up and going well when unseated rider 2 out unseated rider 2 out in race won by Polar Gunner (10-12) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 6 ran.
Something Silver 13-2 (11-2) Held up, blundered 12th, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 36l behind Almire Du Lia (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
