never dangerous, driven from 10th
tracked leader, led 2nd, clear when not fluent 6th, headed 17th, weakened quickly
held up, hit 12th, blundered 18th, slow jump 19th, stayed on to chase leaders 2 out but held
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
led, awkward jump 1st and 2nd, headed, led again 18th, ridden after 3 out, soon headed and weakened
held up, steady headway 17th, going well when led approaching 2 out, pushed out
in touch, ridden 3 out to chase winner, weakened 2 out
held up, steady headway after 16th, chased winner 2 out, keeping on well but not reach winner
in touch, lost place after 15th, soon behind
Unlike several of their rivals, The Gangerman and Lucky Nellerie both come into this race in form and the Twiston-Davies runner may be able to put an end to a frustrating run. The selection has twice made the frame at around three and a half miles and has shown no signs of stopping on either occasion. He's been climbing the weights for getting beaten but he's open to progress after just six chase starts and this longer trip could bring out the best in him. Lucky Nellerie got into a good rhythm at Catterick and never really looked like being passed. He has more weight and quicker conditions to contend with this afternoon but could be hard to pass if allowed his own way in front again. Pass Me By and Ironside are capable of big runs but aren't the easiest to predict whilst stamina is Countess Trifaldi's strong suit. Superrollercoaster, Keepatem and Hazeljack all have the attributes to take a hand but all three have to bounce back from modest performances whilst Topless and Iris De Balme have a little to prove in this company at this trip. Few are completely dismissed but the in-form The Gangerman has plenty to recommend him this afternoon.
Pass Me By 25-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden 16th, lost place next, blundered 4 out, tailed off when pulled up in race won by King Harald (11-8) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd, 19 ran.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 8-1 (9-12) Led from 2nd, made rest, driven out flat, won at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Bannister Lane (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
The Gangerman (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up behind leaders, ridden to chase winner 4 out, no impression after 4 out, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Back On Line (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Countess Trifaldi (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In touch, outpaced 19th, kept on from 2 out, 5th of 19, 8l behind King Harald (11-8) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd.
Ironside (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led to 13th, mistake next, ridden 5 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 26l behind Finzi (10-5) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy.
Iris De Balme (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Ruairi (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
Keepatem (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Soon in touch, pushed along and lost place 13th, ridden 5 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 39l behind Finzi (10-5) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy.
Topless (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Chasing leader when fell at the 10th in race won by Never So Blue (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Hazeljack 11-2 (10-0) Handy, blundered 2nd, weakened quickly and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Phareight Dei (9-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Superrollercoaster 8-1 (10-10) In rear, blundered 1st, reminders after 3rd, soon struggling and pulled up at the 5th in race won by Mokum (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 9 ran.
