tracked leader, blundered 1st, went left and reminder next, tended to jump left after, challenged 4 out, every chance next, ridden and edged left after last, kept on, lost 2nd flat
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, soon tailed off
tracked leading pair, switched inside and headway 4 out, led next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, edged left towards finish
held up in 4th, headway 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure to chase winner flat
led, pressed 4 out, headed next, soon lost place, weakened last
Classic Cut did well to score last time despite looking less than natural over the obstacles, but back in novice company he's opposed in the shape of ERNST BLOFELD who can see off Mirage Dore. Donald McCain's charge took second to Little Josh last time and that horse ran well for a long way in the RSA at Cheltenham, in turn strengthening the value of that form. The six-year-old was also running well in a better race at Cheltenham in January when falling and on balance arrives here with the best form in the book. Mirage Dore has himself shown a decent level of form since taking to fences and must have claims for Wilson Renwick. He was readily brushed aside by Gansey last time though and that form lacks the strength of our pick's. El Bandindos put together a nice sequence in 2007 and returned in 2009 at his best. Since then, though, he's been a tad disappointing and perhaps three miles would be more this one's preference. He was pulled up on his first start for some time when last seen too, so the percentage call is to oppose him along with the outclassed Cherryland. Classic Cut will need to have a cut at his fences and can only be watched as he failed to do that last time. Only a small field go to post for this and Ernst Blofeld looks very much the best of them.
Classic Cut 7-4fav (10-11) Led and jumped slow early, hit 12th, headed 4 out, regained lead approaching next, kept on from last, held on well, won at Catterick 3m 1f beg chase (4) gs beating Greenbelt (11-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
El Bandindos (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, hit 11th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Categorical (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf, 9 ran.
Ernst Blofeld (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd on outer, reminder after 6th, reminders after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd last 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Little Josh (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Mirage Dore (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up, in touch in 4th, went 3rd from 9th, ridden after 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Gansey (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Cherryland 40-1 (11-7) Led, headed 6th, led approaching 9th, headed approaching 13th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 16, 17l behind Areyacoddinmee (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gd.
