jumped well, led until ridden and narrowly headed well before 4 out, chased leader,1 length down when led again as leader blundered 3 out, in command soon after, came clear after 2 out
not fluent early stages, chased winner, slow 2nd, challenged 11th, took narrow lead well before next, 1 length ahead when blundered badly and headed 3 out, not recover
chased leading duo, ridden along before 10th, no chance with front pair next
not jump well, always last, hit 1st and next, mistake 4th, blundered next, ridden and not fluent 9th, no chance and struggling from 11th, tailed off
The once useful PATMAN DU CHARMIL had dropped to a lowly mark when scoring comfortably over this trip at Southwell and an 8lb rise shouldn't be too much of a problem. He raced with much of his old enthusiasm that day and looks to have been found another good opportunity. Dead Or Alive is capable of winning from this mark if getting round safely and a recent victory between the flags will have put him straight. Winning bumper and hurdler Horsford was made favourite on his chasing debut at Wincanton but disappointed while Top Benefit has been looking very one-paced over longer trips. Youngstown is on a fair mark nowadays but his best form has always been over much further.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Made all, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan beating Porta Vogie (10-11) by 5l, 8 ran.
Horsford (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 11th, close 3rd 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 18l behind Forget It (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Youngstown (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) Mid-division on inside, reminder 8th, dropped rear next, soon struggling, plugged on to go moderate 4th approaching 2 out, never near leaders, 4th of 11, 22l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Top Benefit (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) With leader, jumped slowly 12th and 13th, soon driven, ridden to challenge approaching 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Lake Legend (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Feb.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) (12-7) (tt) ap; lft clr 13; fin tired, won at Lydstep 3m ptp gs in Feb beating Balearic Star (12-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
