led 2nd, hit 3rd, not fluent 7th or 8th, hit 3 out and headed, no impression from 2 out
pressed leader from 3rd, mistake 4 out, led 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, in command approaching last, stayed on well
chased leaders, lost touch from 6th, tailed off
raced keenly until 3rd, always behind, mistake 5th, tailed off when blundered 4 out
led to 2nd, chased leader until next, tailing off 8th, weakening when hit 10th
Gauvain was a very easy winner last time out but will have more to do this time facing the selection CHAPOTURGEON and, in what looks a two horse race, Take It There is the best of the rest. After winning the Jewson at the Festival the selection fell at the first fence at the Grand National meeting last time out but has proven in the past that he can recover after hitting the deck next time up. As well as scoring at the Festival he won a decent race at Doncaster in January and with the form rock solid from both he should take advantage of a good opportunity. Guavain scored by 17 lengths last time out in a very poor three runner contest last week. However that victory acts as a welcome confidence booster after falling in the same race as the pick before that and his run in this year's Arkle rates as good form and he should be a close challenger. Take it there has 51lbs to find on the selection according to the official ratings and has run well the last twice but it will be a big surprise to see him challenge Chapoturgeon.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 15-8fav (11-4) Held up, fell 1st, in a race won by Tartak (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd, 8 ran.
Gauvain (GER) 4-7fav (11-12) Tracked leader, hit 3rd and not fluent next, pressing from 7th, led as leader blundered badly 4 out, drew well clear before 2 out, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 1f nov stks (4) gd beating Sebastiano (10-12) by 17l, 3 ran.
Kinkeel (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, reminder after 7th, went 2nd under pressure 3 out, never any chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 18l behind Glengarra (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 1f sell hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Jack's Lad (IRE) 15-8fav (10-5) In touch and keen, hit 3rd, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 30l behind Phoenix Eye (10-4) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Take It There 5-1 (11-6) Led, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression before last, well clear of rest, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Valentia Island (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Feb.
