held up, mistake 8th, ridden 9th, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
led until 10th, chased leader and hit 15th, weakened
tracked leaders, hit 2 out, soon under pressure, kept on same pace
held up, ridden 13th, headway 3 out, led before last, ran on well
held up in touch, ridden 13th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, joined leader 10th, led 14th, headed before last, soon weakened
tracked leader, lost place 11th, hit 10th, weakened and mistake 13th, soon behind
You're Special is the one to beat here and is taken to get the better of Regal Bandit and Harrycone Lewis. The selection is in really good form at present and he won well last time at Doncaster when beating Tribal Venture. He has conditions to suit again today and there is no reason to try and oppose him. Regal Bandit was a fair second behind Preacher Boy at Wincanton last time out but he is not the most reliable and the percentage call is to take him on. Harrycone Lewis won well at Huntingdon on Boxing Day and with the confidence from that winning effort it would not be a surprise if he were to go close here as well. Strong Magic is a course and distance winner and might represent some each-way value, but You're Special might just too special for his rivals on this occasion.
You're Special (USA) 7-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, pushed along 10th, led after 5 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gs in Dec beating Tribal Venture (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Spring Lover (FR) 25-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 16, 50l behind Screenplay (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Harrycone Lewis 15-2 (10-12) In touch, chased leader 6th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec beating King of Confusion (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Melford (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, effort 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 23, 27l behind Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Menphis Beury (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 27l behind Comanche War Paint (11-12) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf in Nov.
Regal Bandit (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leader, headway 13th, kept on from 2 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Preacher Boy (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Strong Magic (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) In touch to 11th, soon behind, 5th of 11, 38l behind Millenaire (11-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.