mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 15th, led last, hung left under pressure close home
mistake 7th, soon behind and pulled up
in touch, steadied and lost places approaching 5th, mistake 8th, headway 12th, weakened 3 out
led, hit 3rd, headed 6th, ridden and outpaced 11th, stayed on to take poor 3rd
tracked leaders, ridden 12th, headed and mistake next, behind when pulled up
keen, in rear, jumped slowly 4th, mistake 11th, hung right, tailed off when pulled up
held up, took closer order 5th, ridden 13th to chase leaders, weakened 3 out, mistake last
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, ridden 13th, led 2 out, headed last, not clear run and switched right close home
held up, took closer order 6th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 12th, soon weakened and pulled up
held up, headway 9th, ridden to lead 13th, headed 2 out, weakened last
Nougat de L'Isle got no further than the sixth fence at Newbury last time but had previously won impressively at the same venue and Colin Tizzard's gelding looks worth another chance here, getting the vote over Charlies Future and Jolejoker. The last mentioned was good value for his win at Warwick last time but a 7lb rise for that success seems a shade harsh so Richard Lee's gelding may be best watched today. Vitray failed to win in 10 starts over hurdles in France and even Paul Nicholls has failed to have any success with him since he has joined his stable, while Ronald Jack has struggled against the handicapper since his maiden chase success at Towcester in June. Charlies Future could not have won with any more ease than when successful at Exeter last month and he warrants plenty of respect but marginal preference is for Nougat de L'Isle.
Which Pocket (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, hampered 7th, struggling 10th, soon behind, virtually pulled up run-in, 8th of 12, well behind Ballyfoy (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Nougat de L'Isle (FR) 4-1jt-fav (11-0) Prominent until fell at the 6th in race won by Ballyfoy (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Vitray (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Led, 6 lengths clear 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no extra, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Flying Falcon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Charlies Future 9-2 (10-7) Made all, drew clear from 4 out, easily, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb beating Sporting Rebel (10-4) by 26l, 6 ran.
Haggle Twins (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Led, headed 7th, lost place 5 out, behind when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Nirvana Swing (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Go For One (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, hit 5 out, blundered 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Himalayan Trail (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led to 2nd, chased leader until led 13th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 22l behind Lidjo De Rouge (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Wrags To Riches (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) In touch, effort 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 8, well behind Bible Lord (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Ronald Jack (FR) 4-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, mistakes throughout, lost place 7th, soon behind, 4th of 6, 35l behind Lord Henry (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Jolejoker 6-1 (11-0) Hampered 2nd, headway 6th, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Joyryder (11-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
