held up, ridden, outpaced 11th, headway to chase leading pair approaching 5 out, chasing leader when pecked last, rallied, led post
tracked leader, hit 12th and 13th, ridden when mistake 5 out, weakening when mistake 3 out
in touch, keen, headway to track leaders 8th, weakened 5 out
tracked leaders, weakened 9th, lost touch 12th, pulled up before 5 out
in touch when mistake 1st, weakened 4 out, never troubled leaders
led, jumped right throughout, not fluent 3rd, ridden 4 out, weakening approaching last, headed line
Ma Yahab, Michael Muck and Stolen Moments are the three to concentrate on here and we'll take a chance with the latter. Venetia Williams saddled the winner of last year's renewal and Ma Yahab arguably has the strongest claims here having finished third in the Skybet Chase at Doncaster last time. He won well prior to that and should have more to offer after just four starts over fences but the memory of him spitting the dummy out at Wetherby in December is fresh in the memory and he may not be one to take a short price about. Michael Muck failed to run his race in Grade 2 company last time but he won well enough over this course and distance prior to that which is a big positive as not every horse takes to this unique venue. The selection has more to prove than that pair but there was a lot to like about his chase debut at Warwick where he made the well regarded Sobers work hard for victory. He should be suited by this longer trip and, in receipt of 6lbs, Stolen Moments may just be able to gain the upper hand.
Ma Yahab 25-1 (9-9) In touch, headway to take closer order 11th, one pace 2 out, 3rd of 20, 3l behind An Accordion (10-3) at Doncaster 3m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jan.
Michael Muck 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, jumped right mostly, weakened 3 out, last of 6, well behind Verasi (11-1) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Coolavanny Lad (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) brought down in race won by Sovereign's Joy (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Delaneys Triumph (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, lost touch 5th, tailed off 8th, 8th of 11, well behind Wild Ground (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Freeline Fury 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along from 6th, headway next, weakened 4 out, 5th of 15, 32l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-7) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Stolen Moments (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 10th, blundered 2 out, challenged flat, no extra near finish, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Sobers (11-6) at Warwick 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
