in touch until weakened 3 out
led to 3rd, stayed prominent, ridden and weakening when blundered and fell 2 out
in touch, mistake 10th, weakening when blundered 3 out
behind, mistake 2nd, struggling 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
led 3rd, headed soon after 2 out, stayed chasing winner until soon after last, weakened run in
held up in rear, staying on but still plenty to do 4 out, headway to chase winner soon after last, no impression run in
held up in mid-division, blundered 10th, no chance after
held up in rear, blundered 4 out, effort under pressure next, no impression when hung left approaching last and run in
held up in mid-division, mistake 11th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, blundered badly and weakened next
behind, no chance when blundered 3 out
took keen hold and held up in rear, steady headway on outside from 12th, led soon after 2 out, driven and ran on well run in
took keen hold, tracked leaders, tracked leader from 7th, blundered and weakened 2 out
held up in rear, steady headway from 9th, chased leading pair after 2 out, no extra run in
chased leaders, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Monkerhostin looks to be on a fair mark judged by his hurdles rating but is not the most fluent of jumpers and with jumping at a premium the vote goes to Fondmort, who is preferred to Thisthatandtother. The last mentioned had a good first season over fences last term and has to be respected representing the powerful stable of Paul Nicholls. However, there are doubts concerning the trip for the eight-year-old who is also tackling a handicap for the first time. Fondmort has no such problems and Nicky Henderson's gelding came here 12 months ago to win this on his reappearance by eight lengths. The son of Cyborg is 10lbs higher in the weights now but that should not be a problem and with the stable beginning to fire in the winners, he is taken to make a winning return and follow up last year's success. Farmer Jack made a winning debut for Philip Hobbs at Aintree last month and has to be respected along with his stablemate Monkerhostin. They rate bigger threats than the novice Ollie Magern, who faces no easy task on his handicap debut over fences. Martin Pipe has a fine record in this contest and saddles two runners, It Takes Time and Celestial Gold. Timmy Murphy has opted to ride the latter of the two so he is the more likely winner of the pair but the six-year-old ay ideally want further to show his best form. Venetia Williams has a fine record at this meeting so Kelrev cannot be discounted but Fondmort holds solid claims of registering a second win in this race and is taken to defy top weight.
