in rear and reminders soon after 1st, ridden, headway 6th, soon weakened and behind
with leader, fell heavily 4th
held up, headway 7th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on again flat
in touch, hampered 4th, driven approaching next, weakened 3 out
made all, ridden and joined 2 out, ran on, ridden out
in rear and keen, mistake 3rd, headway after 4 out, ridden 2 out, ran on flat
in touch, ridden to join leader 2 out, every chance last, switched left and weakened flat
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, some progress 6th, ridden, weakened 3 out
Midas Way gets the nod here ahead of Master Albert and Pass Me A Dime. A Listed-performer on the flat, the selection has been far from disgraced in decent contests at Newbury and Kempton. The form of that third behind Princelet looks rock solid and he must have major claims on ground that he handles. Master Albert represents an powerful and in-form yard, however he reverts to hurdling on what looks a stiff enough mark and despite his claimer easing the burden, he looks opposable. Pass Me A Dime is a course and distance winner so warrants respect, and he is able to race off a hurdles mark 12lbs lower than his chase one today. He must be a threat, whilst Brads House has the services of AP McCoy so must be feared at a decent price. Ultimately this isn't the strongest of contests so we will side with Midas Way to lead them home.
Master Albert (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) In touch until hit 5th, soon hard driven and never fluent, never on terms after, 5th of 7, 41l behind Milan Deux Mille (9-13) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Brads House (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Soon led, headed 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 17, 17l behind Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Midas Way 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, headed before 2 out, one pace after, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Princelet (10-10) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Ballyshan (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden 6th, weakened when mistake 8th, 13th of 17, well behind The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Cannon Fire (FR) 17-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 11l behind Sir Bathwick (10-1) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Pass Me A Dime 4-1 (11-4) Held up and not fluent 1st, headway to track leaders 6th blundered and lost place next and blundered badly 8th, 4th of 5, 43l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Milligan (FR) 22-1 (11-12) Made most until 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Young Dancer (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Nick's Choice 50-1 (10-3) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, lost touch 7th and pulled up 4 out in race won by The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Lady Maranzi 10-1 (11-3) Led, headed after 7th, blundered next, weakened quickly, 13th of 15, well behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
