always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
held up in touch, headway 5th, led 6th, clear approaching 2 out, ran on well
always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 12th
held up, headway 7th, every chance when blundered 3 out, not recover
in touch, mistake 11th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
prominent, led 3rd until after 5th, in touch until weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, towards rear, some headway 5 out, ran on approaching last, never nearer
led to 3rd, led after 5th to 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened when jumped right 2 out
The in-form Haafel gets the nod over Isard Du Buard and Six Of One, who also arrive in good heart and can do their bit to make this a competitive little event. The last mentioned will have the assistance of Mick Fitzgerald, who has got on well with him in the past. However, a line of form through Brown Teddy leaves the Irishman's mount with a little to find with the selection and he may have to settle for a supporting role today. Isard Du Buard is also held on a similar angle and, despite being at the top of his game at the moment, he still has a little more to prove. Therefore, we prefer to go with Haafel, whose only blip this season came in his penultimate start when he fell when having the race at his mercy in the latter stages. Garry Moore's charge made no mistake last time out and, with this extra distance sure to suit, he is very much the one to beat for us.
Haafel (USA) 5-1 With leader, led 6th, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (D) sft beating Brown Teddy by 2l, 4 ran.
Up The Glen (IRE) 10-1 Led to 8th, chased leader to 4 out, weakened after next, blundered 2 out, jumped left last, 5th of 8, 21l behind Myson at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Six of One 7-1 In touch, chased leading pair from 10th, effort 3 out, challenged next, no impression last, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Durlston Bay at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs.
Isard du Buard (FR) 22-1 Prominent, led 5th, left clear 2 out, blundered last, pushed out, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) sft beating Woodenbridge Dream by 19l, 16 ran.
Harry Harestone 14-1 In touch, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Jordans Lad at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Barton Baron (IRE) 7-1 Blundered 1st, close up, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, ridden to dispute 2nd last, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Myson at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Boundary House 20-1 Mistake 1st when in rear, hampered 4th, some headway 2 out, beaten when fell at the last in race won by She's Our Native at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Look To The Future (IRE) 7-2 Led, mistake and headed 7th, tracked winner, led again 12th to 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 5th of 10, 34l behind Loughcrew at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Oct.
