held up, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, switched right approaching last, stayed on
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2 places final 50 yards
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed final 50 yards, kept on
took keen hold, tracked leaders, saddle slipped 4th, not recover and pulled up after next
in touch, stumbled 12th, soon struggling, in rear when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on from last, went 4th towards finish
mid-division, reminders after 10th, ridden after 12th, weakened after 3 out, blundered next
in touch until 7th, struggling from next, weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway 12th, ridden to chase leader and mistake 2 out, led final 50 yards, driven out
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden after next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 8th, stumbled next, in rear 11th, blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up towards rear, headway from 11th, effort and hung left under pressure approaching 2 out, stayed on
Sprosser gets the tentative vote although Paul Nicholls has won the last two runnings of this race and close attention should be paid to his runners. The selection, like a few in this field, is dropping back in trip and that is a slight cause for concern but the stiff track should help to bring his abundant stamina in to play. He was a shade disappointing last time but may have found the ground too fast and had looked progressive prior to that when getting the better of Gold Medallist at Southwell. Forest Green was disappointing at Aintree even allowing for the fact that he may have needed the run and of more interest is chase debutant Ocean Du Moulin. He hasn't progressed as one might have expected over hurdles but it would be no surprise if he proved better suited to chasing. Gold Medallist disappointed in the Jewson but has to be considered as does Mister Potter although his jumping still leaves a little to be desired. Of the remainder, Commemoration Day has looked like a non-stayer the last twice and could fare better back at this trip but it remains to be seen how he'll handle this track and we prefer the claims of Sprosser.
Forest Green (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Held up, hampered 11th, struggling after, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Endless Power (10-3) at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gd, 15 ran.
Gold Medallist 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 20, 48l behind Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Led 2nd until 10th, tracked winner after, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly and pulled up 4 out in race won by Burren Legend (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) gs in Mar, 3 ran.
Warpath (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, led 5 out, ridden after next, just held on, won at Chepstow 2m nov chs (4) gd beating Something Wells (11-12) by a shd, 4 ran.
Ocean du Moulin (FR) 10-11fav (11-9) Led to 2nd, chased leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Pacha D'Oudairies (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Sprosser (IRE) 2-1fav (10-11) Prominent, went 2nd 10th, driven after 4 out, weakened before next, 4th of 6, 18l behind Silver Sedge (11-1) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Mar.
Sarin 5-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, hit 8th, blundered 4th, never dangerous, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by The Real Deal (10-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Mister Potter 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, chased winner from 7th, ridden after 4 out, kept on, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Island Flyer (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Nation State 25-1 (11-2) In touch, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to dispute 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 16, 8l behind Island Flyer (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up in touch, pushed along approaching 13th, soon under pressure, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 30l behind Marvellous Dream (10-7) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (4) gf in Mar.
Dune Raider (USA) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 8th, headed 10th, weakened 13th, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Bonchester Bridge (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Billesey (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leader until blundered 7th, soon ridden, weakened after next, 6th of 8, 41l behind Mango Catcher (10-10) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
