chased winner, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd flat
held up, headway 11th, better 4 out, weakened 3 out, hung left from next
lost touch at 8th, tailed off
made all, stayed on, driven out
keen, held up, headway 3rd, mistakes 4th, 5th and 6th, weakened 9th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened after 11th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat
held up, weakened after 11th
Gold Medallist is the form horse but is hard to recommend following a lacklustre run at Southwell, Rustarix is the likely beneficiary if he fails to fire so gets the nod ahead of Pimbury who's the most interesting of the remainder. Sir Bathwick won well last time but lost his way after winning over hurdles last season and it remains to be seen which way he'll head. Pimbury promises to make up into a chaser and it's rather surprising to see connections risk his novice status at this stage of the season given that he ran perfectly well over hurdles last time. Gold Medallist produced a performance out of the top drawer on his return from a spell on the sidelines when chasing home Tidal Bay at Cheltenham. He should have been a shoo-in at Southwell on that evidence but never really looked like winning. On his best form he wins but the selection is no mug as he has shown in defeat behind Festival fancies Noland and Classic Fiddle in two runs this season. Rustarix looks the likelier of the two principals to run his race and is thus selected.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, mistake 12th, ridden to challenge 13th, led next, under pressure and hit 2 out, all out, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Junctiontwentyfour (9-7) by 15l, 8 ran.
Beesneez (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 5th, soon behind, 8th of 12, well behind Climate Change (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Cava Bien 40-1 (11-7) Always in rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Pocket Too (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy, 13 ran.
Gold Medallist 2-9fav (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out, upsides when hit last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Sprosser (11-4) at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
Knapp Bridge Boy 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 4th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lodge Lane (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
Pimbury (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, one pace, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Russian Trigger (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Rustarix (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division, went 2nd after 5th, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Classic Fiddle (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs.
Spitfire Bob (USA) 100-1 (11-0) Held up behind when fell at the 8th in race won by Karanja (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) sft, 13 ran.
Sir Pandy (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, under pressure after 4th, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Totally Scottish (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (5) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
