led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace
held up, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, hit 6th and hampered, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
chased leader, hit 6th, mistake next, outpaced when hampered on bend after 5 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden and hit 4 out, kept on from next
chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd 6 out, led 3 out, kept on well
chased leaders, weakened 5 out
Andreas narrowly gets the nod in this contest ahead of Stan and Bambi De L'Orme. Paul Nicholls' charge does need to reverse form with Stan but he has demonstrated solid form in the past on a similar surface and with relatively few miles on the clock this year than the majority of his rivals, he might just be capable of turning over the likely favourite. Stan has done absolutely nothing wrong and has been a credit to Venetia Williams' stewardship this term. This is his first return to the minimum trip for a while so the jury is out. Bambi De L'Orme is sure to be popular with Tony McCoy aboard. He would not be the most obvious choice under the conditions. Marcel is better known under faster conditions although he has previously obliged with give in the ground. Helen Wood shaped well over the minimum trip in the past and it is interesting that David Pipe has given her the entry at this grade. En La Cruz had previous chasing form in France and has the canny Paul Carberry in the plate. Jefertiti is solid but out of his natural depth. A quality affair that can be landed by Andreas.
Andreas (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 18, 14l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Stan (NZ) 15-2 (10-7) In touch, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, ran on well, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs beating Il Duce (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 9-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 18, 22l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
En La Cruz (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, led after 6th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 40l behind Kicks For Free (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Greenhope (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) In touch, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 10th of 18, 27l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Marcel (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Held up, blundered 6th, never dangerous, 8th of 18, 17l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Jefertiti (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Led to 1st, remained close up, led again before 4 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and held on gamely flat, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar beating Something Silver (11-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Helen Wood 8-1 (10-8) Held up, hit 10th, steady headway 11th, effort 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 9, 34l behind King Louis (11-2) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs (2) gd.
