in touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat
towards rear, jumped right 1st, mistake 5th, effort 4 out, mistake and one pace from 2 out
tracked leader, mistake 8th, lost place, weakened 10th
in touch, ridden to chase leaders from 8th, kept on
always in rear
in rear, mistake 6th, behind when pulled up approaching 7th
led, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, driven out
held up, mistake 3rd, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened 4 out, behind from next
The in-form Littleton Aldor has to be on the short-list and Forfeiter is also worth a place there but we'll side with Green Gamble. The yard had a winner earlier in the week which allays fears about the lack of a recent run. It was his latest run that offers encouragement for his chances today as that second placed finish at Fontwell marked a return to form. He's on a decent mark and has the ability to win a race of this type. Littleton Aldor would have leading claims if able to reproduce the form of his two recent performances at Chepstow but it's easy enough to take him on once again. Forfeiter fell on his sole chase start back in November but that came in a better race than this and he has been quietly progressive over hurdles. He should go well if able to transfer his form. There are others with bits and pieces of form but most have a good deal to prove and Green Gamble has reasonable claims of making a winning return.
Olival (FR) 40-1 (10-13) Led, hit 8th, soon joined, headed approaching 3 out, not fluent next, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 14l behind Massini Sunset (9-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Orsus (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led after 6th, hit and headed 9th, weakened after next and pulled up 3 out in race won by Seymar Lad (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (4) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Jupon Vert (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Chased winner, mistake 4 out, lost 2nd and weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 11, 23l behind Fabulous Jet (11-10) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Forfeiter (USA) 10-3fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance last, not quicken, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Fair Dual (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Signature Tune (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, lost place after 3rd, no danger when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ask The Umpire (10-5) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Batchworth Beau 15-2 (11-3) Close up, ridden and lost place 4th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Finnegans Rainbow (10-10) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd, 14 ran.
Littleton Aldor (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Led and set good pace, mistake 4th and headed, chased leaders, led after 7th, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Aheadofhistime (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Green Gamble 14-1 (10-13) Led, ridden approaching 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Abutilon (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Moonlight Music (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, not clear run approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 18, 6l behind Chinara (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.
A Sea Commander (GER) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, unseated rider 2 out unseated rider 2 out in race won by Massini Sunset (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Sett Aside 25-1 (9-11) Towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Wild Ground (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs, 15 ran.
