chased leaders, went right 5th, blundered badly 9th and lost place, lost touch after 13th
chased leading pair, ridden after 13th, soon one pace
in touch, not fluent 12th, struggling when hit 13th, soon lost touch
chased winner, mistake 4th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon held
made all, drew clear from 4 out, easily
held up, weakened after 13th, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nougat De L'Isle has some jumping issues to address but we're pretty sweet on his chances and believe he can get the better of Macmar and Sporting Rebel. The selection showed useful form over hurdles and in finishing third to Arnold Layne and Lead On on his first two outings over fences. He stepped up a gear to win on his handicap bow at Newbury before falling at the same venue last time. Connections are sure to have spent some time on the schooling ground with him and he should climb the ranks when he gets things right. Macmar is rocketing up the weights but seems to have been transformed since being fitted with cheekpieces and may not be done with yet whilst Sporting Rebel won his second chase start impressively before reverting to hurdles last time. Both did their winning with cut in the ground though and have a little to prove on drier ground. Out The Black is respected on the pick of his form but has no margin for error from his current mark but Martha's Kinsman has been in good form this season and is feared. Charlies Future and Jimmy Tennis are capable but opposable and a clear round should see Nougat De L'Isle go close.
Out The Black (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 4th and 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Gone To Lunch (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Towards rear, mistake 13th, ridden 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, not reach leading pair, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Irish Raptor (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Macmar (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, soon clear, readily, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan beating Nacadour (11-12) by 9l, 12 ran.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 7-4fav (10-11) Tracked leader, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 16, 24l behind Jaunty Flight (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Charlies Future 12-1 (10-11) Led, ridden after 4 out, headed next, rallied 2 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind The Hairy Lemon (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Leopold (SLO) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led 9th, headed 11th, ridden 12th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 15l behind Comber (10-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Nougat de L'Isle (FR) 4-1jt-fav (11-0) Prominent until fell at the 6th in race won by Ballyfoy (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Jimmy Tennis (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-6) With leader, ridden 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 6, 49l behind Noble Bily (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
