behind, no chance when blundered 8th, pulled up before 10th
always behind, ridden 8th, lost touch 10th, soon tailed off
held up in rear, headway to track leaders 10th, mistake and lost place 11th, rallied from 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd 11th, led 3 out, clear and in no danger when stumbled on landing last
chased leaders, weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out
led to 3rd, stayed prominent, not fluent 6th, weakened 11th
tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, led 4 out, headed 3 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd last, weakened run-in
behind, driven 7th, soon struggling
always behind, ridden 8th, struggling 10th
led 3rd, mistake and headed 4 out, weakened from next
in touch, mistakes 2nd and 8th, weakening when blundered 12th
Jim Lad is selected here ahead of Mollycarrsbrekfast and Vandante. Jim Lad came good over a longer trip here last time and, despite having been raised five pounds for that success, can carry the buoyancy of confidence from that win into this contest and score again. Vandante and River Indus are capable of making the frame, while Mollycarrsbrekfast holds claims based on his win of last summer. Monsieur Georges has so far been disappointing this year, Johnston's Swallow will need to recapture his Irish 2005 promise, and Kind Sir will also have to rediscover better form if he is to get involved. Finally, Yassar has regressed from his 90-rated winning days of 2005 so, for the selection we return to Jim Lad.
Vandante (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 4th of 13, 37l behind Bridge Flight (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs (5) gs in Nov.
Monsieur Georges (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Prominent, ridden after 13th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Missy Moscow (9-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
River Indus 5-1 (10-12) In touch, chased winner when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, not fluent 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Backbord (11-7) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Kind Sir 6-1 (10-6) Led, headed, hit 2nd, chased winner, mistake 4th, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Schinken Otto (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sept, 7 ran.
Johnston's Swallow (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) In rear, mistake 3rd, ridden 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Strolling Vagabond (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Yassar (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division until dropped rear 8th, 5th of 12, 42l behind Mayoun (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Jim Lad 9-4 (10-5) Held up, took closer order 10th, went 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, led last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Satco's Deception (11-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
Carroll's O'Tully (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Led until hit 4 out, soon ridden, 3rd and held when hit 2 out, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Forest Green (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf.
