held up close 4th, went 2nd at the 11th, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten
led until 9th, soon ridden and lost touch, took 4th 3rd, close home
prominent, led after 9th, jumped right 4 out, clear 3 out, jumped right 2 out, comfortably
held up close 3rd, ridden and brief effort approaching 4 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
In a very interesting novices' chase, we will side with East Lawyer ahead of Wrags To Riches, Waterspray and Shalako. The selection has made a good impression in winning his last two races, although the bare form of them means that he will have to improve again to land this race. We feel that he might well be capable of that and, accordingly, make him the selection. Wrags To Riches will be more at home in this company than he was at Cheltenham last time and should give a good account of himself, while the consistent Waterspray managed to get his head in front last time and is sure to give you a good run for your money. Much as he came good at Hereford last time, Toulouse possibly has a bit of improvement to find to trouble the major players as we see them here, and Shalako has so far not built on early promise, but he still cannot be dismissed in this race as his form is solid enough. However, the one for us today is East Lawyer.
East Lawyer (FR) 9-2 In touch, headway after 6th, narrow leader 7th, ridden 3 out, clear when hit last, won at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs beating Silvergino by 4l, 14 ran.
Shalako (USA) 2-1fav Tracked leader, ridden 10th, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten when blundered next, last of 4, well behind Uncle Wallace at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) sft in Feb.
Wrags To Riches (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leaders, chased winner 11th until not fluent 3 out, weakened quickly, blundered last, last of 6, 27l behind Lacdoudal at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (B) gs in Jan.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 4-1 Tracked leaders, left chasing winner from 6th, outpaced when not fluent 13th and next, lost poor second run-in, 3rd of 5, 27l behind Eric's Charm at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs (C) gs.
Toulouse (IRE) 3-1 Held up in rear, headway after 9th to track leader, ridden and not fluent 2 out, ran on to lead close home, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Nov beating Light Des Mulottes by 1l, 5 ran.
Waterspray (AUS) 11-4 Jumped left, led, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, rallied well to lead final strides, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan beating Macnance by a nk, 6 ran.
