prominent, led 6th, mistake 11th, ridden clear after 3 out, ran on
led, hit 4th, headed 6th, ridden to chase winner from 3 out, no impression approaching last
prominent to 3rd, reminders and behind 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden and weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner when mistake 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, mistake 7th, behind when fell 11th
mid-division, ridden 10th, weakened and pulled up 3 out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, weakened 8th, behind from 10th
held up, mistake 1st and reminders, headway 6th, mistake 9th, weakened 12th
Elsie's Pride, Alpha Gamble and Abraham Smith make the shortlist here with Elsie's Pride taken to follow up a last time out win. After some disappointing efforts, Alpha Gamble was not unfancied in a weak contest over the course and distance last time. He stayed on well to score, but may find this tougher. With only one win over hurdles to his credit, Abraham Smith is a consistent rather than brilliant performer. However, he has shown in recent efforts that he can go close in a race such as this, running particularly well last time, and he can reach a place. Elsie's Pride has been running with great credit of late, winning two of his last three starts. He showed his tenacity to score last time, and his stamina will stand him in good stead here. Elsie's Pride can land this.
Chopneyev (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 12, 39l behind Auntie Kathleen (10-8) at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Randolph O'Brien (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) With leaders, ridden when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Running Hot (9-13) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Elsie's Pride (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Led, headed 4th, mistake 6th, ridden from 8th, led 3 out, edged left flat, all out, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec beating Ours (11-0) by a nk, 11 ran.
Forest Miller 3-1 (11-3) Hampered 1st, led or disputed lead, led 11th, headed 13th, ridden and one pace when hit 3 out, 5 lengths down and disputing 2nd when fell at the last in race won by Eskimo Jack (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in May, 8 ran.
Cadoulitique (FR) 80-1 (11-0) Reminders after 5th, mainly towards rear, 8th of 18, 27l behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
New Mischief (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, driven 6th, beaten when pulled up 4 out in race won by Roussea (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Alpha Gamble (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, driven to lead after last, ran on, won at Folkestone 2m 5f amt hcp chs (5) gs beating Red Jester (9-9) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Abraham Smith 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, led and hit 9th, headed before 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Mylord Collonges (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs (5) gs.
One Step Closer (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, ridden, weakened 10th, 7th of 14, well behind Pitful Tercah (11-3) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl (5) gd.
Red Ensign 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased winner before 2 out, never able to challenge, 4th of 10, 23l behind Air Force One (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs.
