tracked leader, mistake 1st, led 2nd, headed 5th, ridden 4 out, one pace after 2 out
led briefly 1st, lost place 9th, tailed off after 4 out
held up, mistake 6th, headway to track leaders 10th, blundered 3 out, ridden to lead last, ridden out
prominent and keen, led 5th, ridden 2 out, headed last and no extra
held up, slow jump 4th, weakened 10th, tailed off from 4 out
Fountain Hill gets a narrow vote over French raider Moncadou and Professor Jack in what should develop into a three-cornered affair. Fountain Hill missed out the whole of 2006, and in fact was having his first outing in the best part of two years when second on his chase debut at Hereford last month. That was an encouraging effort, as he was the only one to keep tabs on the fancied Ursis, finishing a distance clear of the third horse at the finish, and if Paul Nicholls can keep him sound, he should pay his way. A look back at his form over timber reveals that he kept good company, and indeed was runner-up in a Grade 3 affair at Sandown on one occasion, so the ability is definitely there, and he can make an impression here. Moncadou has shaped like a real mudlark in France, and has not really had conditions to suit on either of his two previous visits across the Channel. There will be no excuses today, and as this will be his fifth try over fences, he should make a bold show. Professor Jack showed fair form between the flags in Ireland, and was going well enough when falling two out at Fontwell, so if that has not knocked his confidence, he cannot be discounted. It is always dangerous to rule out any of Gary Moore's inmates at present, but surely Dusky Warbler will need the run, and so we return to Fountain Hill as the answer.
Fountain Hill (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In touch, chased winner from 7th, ridden 11th, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Ursis (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Mister Tibus (FR) 100-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Afrad (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Moncadou (FR) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up in touch, led approaching last, headed and found nil on long run-in, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Jaunty Times (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Professor Jack (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, led after 10th, headed but going best when fell 2 out in race won by Heez A Dreamer (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 4 ran.
One Step Closer (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) In touch, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, challenging for 2nd when fell at the last in race won by Reach For The Top (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Dusky Warbler 12-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 6th, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 17, 20l behind Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
