chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace approaching last
held up, struggling from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, effort 6 out, soon weakened
held up behind, ridden approaching 5 out, never dangerous
mid-division, chased leaders from 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up, chased leaders 5th, led 11th, stayed on well from last
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 5th, blundered badly 5 out, soon weakened
prominent and took keen hold, led after 4th, headed 6th, blundered 14th, pulled up before 15th
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
led until after 4th, led again 6th, headed 11th, weakened after 14th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, pushed along after 4th, ridden approaching 13th, behind when fell 5 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 5 out, weakened from 4 out
held up, headway approaching 13th, chased winner approaching 3 out, hung left and hit 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division, hampered 13th, soon weakened, pulled up 5 out
prominent early, hampered 13th, soon weakened
Top-weight Miko De Beauchene's jumping along with his handicap mark is a worry and preference is for NENUPHAR COLLONGES ahead of Cornish Sett, Mon Mome and L'Aventure. A typically hard handicap to get to grips with, and a real slog in the mud on the cards. The selection has a bit of work to do with several of these on their clash in the Welsh National, however his jumping was poor that day and eventually it took his toll as he finished in a ten-length seventh. He is a strong stayer and a bounce back to form is not an unrealistic proposition. Character Building is interesting given his profile and a recent run over hurdles; the booking of AP McCoy catches the eye. He was beaten however by Rambling Minster at Cheltenham last time, whilst L'Aventure fell in that race. He looks to have an interesting weight today and if his jumping holds up he must be there or thereabouts. Carnival Town looked a different animal last time but there is no guarantee that he will run the same race, whilst Coe, Sherwood's Folly and Glasker Mill give owner Trevor Hemmings a very strong hand. All stay well, all act on the ground, and all three have a good shout. Eric's Charm bumped into a good one last time at Sandown; the winner Can't Buy Time is a live Grand National chance and the form looks good so on ground that suits he is unlikely to be far away off the same mark of 140. Opera Mundi goes well here but is yet to really prove his stamina for a test like this. Comply Or Die is Grand National bound for a defence of his crown but will reportedly miss race due to a dirty scope. A very tricky renewal for punters to spend hours dissecting, but it is Nenuphar Collonges who gets our backing.
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders until jumped badly left and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Cloudy Lane (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Opera Mundi (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along 10th, headway after 5 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Cloudy Lane (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Mon Mome (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Pressed leader, led 7th, headed approaching next, ridden after 9th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression before last, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-4) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, steady progress from 14th, close up when outpaced after 5 out, stayed on again from 3 out, snatched 2nd final strides, 2nd of 20, 7l behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Nenuphar Collonges (FR) 6-1 (10-6) In touch when mistakes 8th and 10th, one pace from 4 out, 7th of 20, 10l behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Rambling Minster 13-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 10th, hit 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led final 100 yards, driven out, gamely, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan beating Alexanderthegreat (10-10) by 2l, 13 ran.
Character Building (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Laredo Sound (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Eric's Charm (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Led, clear 6th, ridden 3 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Can't Buy Time (9-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Glasker Mill (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Behind, in touch approaching 5th, ridden 5 out, every chance after last, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Cloudy Lane (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Sherwoods Folly 66-1 (10-0) Made most to 3 out, weakened run-in, 5th of 20, 10l behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Beat The Boys (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, mistakes 10th and 13th, weakened after 17th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 20 ran.
D'Argent (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, no impression after, 4th of 10, 17l behind Cloudy Lane (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Nadover (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, well beaten 3 out, 7th of 12, 26l behind Maktu (10-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Coe (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway when mistake 13th, led approaching next, stayed on well from last, driven out, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Iwillrememberyou (11-7) by 5l, 14 ran.
Carnival Town 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader from 3rd, hung badly right towards stables after 11th, led 15th, headed 17th, led again 3 out, idled flat, won at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan beating Tank Top (11-0) by 14l, 8 ran.
L'Aventure (FR) 17-2 (10-10) With leader to 3rd, remained prominent, close 2nd when fell at the 16th in race won by Rambling Minster (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Comply Or Die (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) In touch until 10th, soon struggling in rear, gradually lost touch from 13th, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
