made all, mistake 8th, mistake 4 out, came clear from 3 out, in command when hit last, stayed on well, unchallenged
held up towards rear, reminders after 7th, ridden in modest 4th at 8th, soon weakened, poor 8th when pulled up before 3 out
chase winner until 6th, soon ridden, lost place approaching 8th, poor 7th when pulled up before 3 out
jumped right at some fences, took keen hold in last pair, struggling in modest 5th approaching 4 out, went right final 3
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until approaching 4 out, soon driven and weakened before next
held up in 5th, headway to 4th approaching 8th, not fluent next, went 3rd before 3 out, no impression
jumped big at several fences, in rear, never on terms, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden before next, no impression
Nonrunner
TRY TO CATCH ME lived up to his name when making all and trouncing his rivals over C&D last month. As expected, the handicapper was not amused and has raised him 14lb, but this is less competitive and Alison Batchelor's chaser could well follow-up if allowed an easy lead once again. Millers Reef arrives in fine form having scored over timber at Taunton and he'll be in the mix if taking to the larger obstacles, while Devils River produced his best effort for a while when runner-up in soft ground over track and trip last time. The Grey One turned in a poor effort off his new mark in November having won at Huntingdon before that, but Manjam may finish closer to the selection this time on only his fourth start over fences.
Try Catch Me (IRE) 9-4 (10-13) Made all, not fluent 6th, mistake next, clear from 3 out, unchallenged, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Mar beating Curragh Dancer (10-10) by 14l, 5 ran.
Millers Reef (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden clear, challenged after last, stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) fm in Mar beating Dukes Art (11-9) by nk, 5 ran.
Manjam (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 4 out, well held form 3 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Try Catch Me (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
The Grey One (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Mistake 1st, tracked clear leading pair, not on terms when blundered and lost 3rd at 9th, struggling and no chance after, 6th of 9, 39l behind Alpha Way (10-7) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Devils River (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 2nd, headed 3 out, chased winner, no impression before last, weakened flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Cypress Grove (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Reste Jeune (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 10, 24l behind Mujamead (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.
Benozzo Gozzoli 4-1 (10-9) Chased leading pair, went 2nd before 3rd until 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Mujamead (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Jolibob (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Hunt Ball (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Tchang Goon (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Left 3rd and hampered 2nd, no chance with leading duo after 4 out, 3rd of 4, 30l behind City Heights (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr '10.
