led early, tracked leaders, hit 14th, soon niggled along, went 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner
soon led, headed 4th, led next until hit 7th, chased winner after, no impression approaching 4 out, lost 2nd before next and weakened
held up, headway 5th, led 7th, clear approaching 4 out, ridden after 2 out, eased flat
chased leaders, gradually lost touch approaching 10th, tailed off
chased leader 1st, led 4th until 5th, not fluent 11th, ridden after 14th, weakened 4 out
VODKA BROOK has to shoulder plenty of weight here but he's got plenty in his favour and can score from Noun De La Thinte and Maktu, with Iconoclast the only other worth serious consideration. Our selection arrives in search of the hat-trick and is consequently penalised, but he's won over this trip and copes with soft ground, whilst the official ratings also give him excellent claims. He made a promising start to his career as a chaser before unseating his rider twice, at which point there must have been real concerns as to his ability to match the level of form he'd shown over hurdles. However, the gelding has bounced back in fine style by scoring over this trip at Taunton before winning again at Exeter, so with his confidence restored and Daryll Jacob once again in the plate he's given the vote. Noun De La Thinte has had a fine year herself and, similar to our selection, bounced back from a below par display to score last time. She's an admirable mare and has claims in receipt of the allowances, but she's had a long season and perhaps this will prove one trip to the well too many. That said, she should take second if jumping round ahead of Maktu. The eight-year-old is a confirmed stayer who does cope with this ground but on balance his level of form is slightly below what should be required here and it wouldn't be the greatest surprise were Iconoclast to challenge him for third at a price. Alex Hales' runner was pulled up last time but this is easier and he may well jump with more fluency in this smaller field. With Young Yozza set to be comprehensively outclassed, Vodka Brook is our confident choice.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Chased leader, challenged 4 out, led after 3 out, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar beating Qulinton (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Iconoclast (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up, blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Wogan (11-8) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Maktu 1-2fav (10-9) Held up, headway to go 2nd 5th, led 9th, clear approaching 5 out, hit 3 out, soon ridden and reduced lead, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m beg chase (4) gd in Mar beating My Friend Sandy (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Young Yozza 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, lost touch after 11th, tailed off, 3rd of 4, 42l behind Tisfreetdream (10-12) at Warwick 3m nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Noun De La Thinte (FR) 15-8fav (9-12) Made virtually all, driven well clear approaching 3 out, eased right down flat, easily, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Mar beating Marcus (10-12) by 8l, 4 ran.
