chased clear leader until not fluent 5th, weakened quickly, behind and pulled up before 8th
in touch, ridden after 8th, stayed on from 4 out, went 2nd approaching last, no further impression on winner
led and soon well clear, headed after 8th, soon weakened, blundered 4 out
chased clear leader, led after 8th, headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd and held when mistake last
held up, steady headway approaching 5th, joined leaders on bit after 8th, ridden and every chance after 4 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in touch, headway and not fluent 6th, led approaching 4 out, soon hard ridden, kept on gamely
always behind
From a shortlist containing Young Collier, Big Rob, Jarro and Madison du Berlais, we will side with the last-named. The selection has been raised six pounds for a gutsy Market Rasen win last time, which seems fair enough because the form of his third behind Kalca Mome and Tanikos at Warwick the time before - where he had a lot of use made of him - has worked out ok. As such, he looks set for a bold showing today. Young Collier is also on the up, having won his last two and, much as he has been raised five pounds for the latest of those victories, he is lightly raced and open to improvement and gains our respect. Much as Big Rob has become disappointing since looking very promising a year ago, if his trainer has been able to sweeten him up, he looks to be on a very good mark. Turning to the others and Key Phil, who is four pounds above a winning mark, showed a bit more sparkle last time than of late before that and Roofing Spirit is now just two pounds above a winning mark and, while he has shown little of late, he holds a chance if getting it all back together; however; with the other couple having a little to prove, in our view, on today's terms, we return to the selection, which is Madison du Berlais.
Young Collier 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, led 10th, strongly pressed from 4 out, narrowly headed flat, rallied gamely to regain lead final stride, won at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan '05 beating Dun An Doras (11-3) by a shd, 9 ran.
Big Rob (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Led after 3rd to 7th, with winner, ridden 2 out, left 2nd last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Lord Nellsson (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Jarro (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 5th until after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 7, 23l behind Saintsaire (11-12) at Windsor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Key Phil (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, left chasing winner next, no impression, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Rubberdubber (11-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders 9th, outpaced from next, 4th of 10, 16l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 9-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden after 4 out, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Joey Tribbiani (11-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Lesdream 80-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, lost touch 7th, 6th of 10, well behind Racing Demon (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs.
Just A Touch 11-2 (11-12) Never going well in rear, mistake 3rd, hit 6th, soon tailed off, last of 6, well behind He's The Gaffer (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
