led for 5f, lost place over 3f out
raced keen, led after 5f, hit 5th, headed last, weakened approaching 2f out
held up in touch, headway to chase leader approahcing 3 out, led last, headed 2f out, one pace
tracked leader, not fluent 1st, reminders 2nd and struggling, prominent 4th, weakened over 5f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
(1st 4 fences omitted) held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd on bit 4f out, led 2f out, soon clear, eased towards finish
The Andrew balding-trained Duchamp was five-lengths clear when he fell on his previous visit to this course, but he has been found a good opportunity to put the record straight today. The top weight, Noisetine, along with Enzo De Baune, also has claims on these terms and both should run their races. The former does have a little to prove off her current mark though and, despite holding Polar Scout from their encounter over course and distance in January, she looks vulnerable from just 1lb below her career-highest-ever rating. Enzo de Baune is best when he can gain an uncontested lead and is a prime candidate to tow them along today. Ben Orde-Powlett has built up a good working relationship with the eight-year-old and they look a good bet to at least make the frame. Another to consider is Mercato, as he faced up to these fences well in last season's Grimthorpe Chase. However, this trip would be the absolute minimum for him and he appears to need everything to go his way. Therefore, we switch to the consistent Duchamp, as he is a previous course and distance winner that arrives here with fewer negatives than the rest of his main rivals today.
Noisetine (FR) 9-1 Led to 1st, led again 2nd, headed 7th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Town Crier at Haydock 2m hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Enzo de Baune (FR) 11-2 Led, headed after 7th, led again next, ridden after 2 out, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Feb beating Welcome To Unos by 3l, 9 ran.
Old Marsh (IRE) 8-1 Tracked leaders, tracked winner from 6th until mistake and weakening when hampered 4 out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Flight Command at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (D) sft in Dec.
Edmo Heights 10-1 Behind from 5th, 5th of 7, 26l behind Ghadames at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Feb.
Argento 3-1 Chased leader, led after 9th, headed 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Game On at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Feb.
Undeniable 7-1 Tracked leaders, reminders after 4 out, hit next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 45l behind Captain Corelli at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Polar Scout (IRE) 9-2 Towards rear, hit 3rd, mistake 9th, headway approaching 4 out, hit next, chased winner 2 out, until one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Noisetine at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Jan.
Super Nomad 20-1 Led to 2nd, chased leaders to 4th, stayed close up until weakened 8th, tailed off, 13th of 15, 40l behind Tango Royal at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Apr.
Duchamp (USA) Evensfav Led after 1st, headed 4th, led again 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Feb beating Mark Equal by 1l, 8 ran.
The Nomad 40-1 In touch, headway and effort 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 24l behind King's Bounty at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Feb.
Mercato (FR) 7-2 Held up in touch, outpaced and mistake 12th, mistake next, stayed on to take moderate 3rd after 3 out, no danger, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Whitenzo at Sandown 3m chs (E) gd in Feb.
