close up, led 7th, headed 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
led from 2nd to 7th, remained close up, ridden approaching 3 out, staying on when not much room and hit rail run-in, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led to 1st, chased leaders, ridden 9th, weakening when blundered and unseated rider next
held up in touch, led 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace
held up, ridden 4 out, headway approaching next, led 2 out, edged left run-in, kept on
held up, ridden 4 out, headway approaching next, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, no impression
Livingonaknifedge is put forward although dual course winner Flake commands respect with Barton Sun, Spring Margot and Primus Inter Pares far from dismissed. This has the look of a pipe opener for Trading Trouble who returns to action over a trip well short of his best and it would be surprising if he had the speed to counter his rivals. Livingonaknifedge hasn't won as often as once looked likely but gained his first success over fences in November and is capable of winning again. Admittedly, his two subsequent performances haven't advertised his claims but this sort of race should be within his capabilities. This mark has proved beyond Flake in the past but this is not a great race and he should go close with plenty in his favour. Primus Inter Pares didn't appear too willing when last in action but has won here in the past and is relatively unexposed. Barton Sun may have been freshened up by a short break whilst Spring Margot has an excellent wins to runs ratio and can usually be relied upon to run his race. Our selection though is Livingonaknifedge.
Trading Trouble 10-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 16, 38l behind Tamarinbleu (11-9) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Jun.
Flake 25-1 (10-7) Led to 6th, led 7th to 8th, remained handy, weakened from 4 out, blundered badly 2 out, 9th of 11, 32l behind Edmo Yewkay (10-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Jan.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5 out, led 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 27l behind Just For Men (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Spring Margot (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, blundered 7th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 28l behind Dark Corner (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Oso Magic 8-1 (9-10) In touch, blundered 2nd, weakening when hampered 9th, 9th of 13, 30l behind Roman Ark (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Primus Inter Pares (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 22l behind Stormy Beech (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Sands Rising 8-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 11th, challenged 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 7, 5l behind Flake (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Barton Sun (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 4th next, mistake 9th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, hampered last, 6th of 12, 29l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Cloudless Dawn 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Nirvana Swing (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
