tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led when jumped left last, stayed on well
led, not always fluent, mistake 13th, ridden after next, headed before last, lost 2nd close home
held up in touch in 4th, blundered 2nd, ridden 2 out, outpaced flat
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, not pace of winner
AL CO was quite impressive in landing an arguably stronger contest at Fakenham earlier this month. That was on soft ground but he handles a faster surface and Dougie Costello is 3-3 on Peter Bowen's seven-year-old. He can give the weight away to Thelobstercatcher, who has had plenty of chances but still has a tendency to make mistakes. Charming Lad ran his best race so far under Rules at Fontwell last time but Gambo has some decent form to his name over hurdles and could be the threat to the selection if taking to the larger obstacles.
Al Co (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Close up in last place, pecked 9th, hampered soon after 10th, tracked leader 12th, led soon after 2 out, ridden and soon clear, ran on, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) sft beating Same Difference (10-12) by 21l, 4 ran.
Charming Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked winner until 2nd, pushed along after 8th, reminders after next, one pace in 3rd before 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Sire Collonges (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chase (4) gs.
Gambo (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, no impression on leaders when blundered 3 out, 5th of 13, 26l behind Hills Of Aran (11-5) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Thelobstercatcher 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, plugged on approaching 3 out, went modest 3rd before last, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Rockabilly (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
