led, hit and headed 4 out, soon ridden, led again last, stayed on well flat
held up, hit 4th, outpaced when mistake 5 out, ridden and rallied 3 out, 3 lengths 3rd and staying on when fell 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 5 out, outpaced next, left 3rd 2 out, weakened from last
tracked leader, hit 4th, led 4 out, headed last, ridden and one pace flat
Disappointingly just the five runners line up for this handicap chase and, with most of the runners out of form at present, it may be worth taking a chance on Schinken Otto, who gets the vote over Salhood and Ela Re. The last mentioned, a winner at Bangor in April, ran respectably back over fences here last month after a couple of runs over hurdles earlier this season and he has to be respected. Chaninbar has given little sign of encouragement in his last two starts and looks best watched at present, while Polished could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Salhood, a winner over course and distance in December, has disappointed in two starts since then and is hard to back with confidence after those efforts and preference is for Schinken Otto. The selection has been running well on the flat of late and, with ground conditions to suit for his return to chasing, looks worth an investment.
Ela Re 20-1 (11-12) Towards rear, outpaced 5 out, headway approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Miss Pross (10-10) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Chaninbar (FR) 12-1 (10-10) In touch in chasing group, ridden, weakened approaching 4 out, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Josear (10-11) at Hereford 2m nov chs (4) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Salhood 14-1 (11-5) With leaders, blundered 8th, weakened next, 4th of 5, 29l behind Nirvana Swing (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Led, headed and blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 16l behind Almaydan (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Polished 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 5th, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 10, 49l behind Oiseau de Nuit (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.