mid-division, in rear from 6th, never dangerous
led, headed approaching 10th, reminders and weakened 11th, pulled up soon after
in rear, pushed along approaching 10th, some headway and 5th 3 out, never dangerous
towards rear, headway approaching 7th, hit 9th, with leader next, ridden and disputed lead 2 out, led approaching and headed last, kept on
chased leaders, led approaching 10th, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed, weakened last
held up towards rear, some headway to 6th frrom after 3 out, no impression
held up in mid-division, weakened approaching 11th, pulled up soon after
in touch, weakened 10th, pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, in 4th 3 out, no impression
mistake 1st, held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, chased leading pair from 3 out, ridden next, led last, kept on well
chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon reminders in rear, fell next
Nonrunner
Picaroon, Master Somerville and STORYMAKER make up our shortlist in this cracking contest with narrow preference for the latter. Our selection ran well at Perth just over a week ago when second to a well-handicapped horse of Gordon Elliott's in Nedzer's Return. That one went in again later in the week to add substance to the form and Storymaker would've been much closer but for a blunder three from home, so off the same mark and under almost identical conditions he looks to hold excellent claims. Picaroon won tidily last time and looked to have plenty left in the tank, so a 7lb penalty is far from certain to stop him. He's won two from three starts over fences and ran out on the other occasion when still going well, so looks the one to beat. However, at the likely prices we'll take him on, as we will Master Somerville. The last named ran well here last time and relishes quick conditions, but he tends to be best fresh and may get reeled in late on by the aforementioned pair. Private Be has been in the frame on all three visits to Bangor and may enhance that record despite having to carry top weight. He is at home whatever the ground and is generally a reliable type despite his advancing years. Franchoek is well handicapped on his hurdles form but doesn't look in love with this game so of more interest at an each-way price is Gaelic Flight, a top-of-the-ground type who runs off the same mark as when second to Poquelin in October. In contrast Just Smudge would prefer some cut and can be opposed along with Saphir Des Bois, although the last-named has cheek-pieces applied for the first time and could improve for them. Magic Sky is another who would've been of more interest if the ground had been softer but with conditions likely to be on the fast side it's Storymaker who gets our vote.
Private Be 20-1 (10-6) Chased leaders to 13th, behind from 3 out, 12th of 24, 48l behind Great Endeavour (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Saphir Des Bois (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Not fluent, behind 7th, lost touch approaching 7th, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Prince De Beauchene (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy, 10 ran.
Magic Sky (FR) 9-1 (11-1) In touch, headway to 3rd 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 7l behind Briery Fox (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
Picaroon 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 8th, led and blundered 5 out, drew clear approaching 3 out, easily, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf beating Cossack Dancer (11-5) by 21l, 6 ran.
Yabora (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, not fluent and ridden 13th, still in touch when blunderd and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Carlitos (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 50-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by From Dawn To Dusk (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f list hcp ch (1) gd, 16 ran.
Gaelic Flight (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, no impression before 2 out, badly hampered last, 8th of 13, 17l behind Stormin Exit (10-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd.
Boomshakalaka (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, in touch when blundered and unseated rider 13th, in a race won by Always Waining (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f list hcp ch (1) gs, 27 ran.
Just Smudge 11-2 (11-0) In touch, headway to chase leaders 9th, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Buck Mulligan (10-8) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Storymaker 15-2 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 7th, chased winner 4 out, mistake 3 out, no impression 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Nedzer's Return (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Master Somerville 7-1 (10-8) Made most, hard pressed when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure until headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Edgbriar (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Franchoek (IRE) 2-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner going to 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 3, 16l behind Green Belt Elite (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov chs (2) hvy in Feb.
