tracked leader, chased leader from 9th, ridden 4 out, left in lead and clear 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 9th, weakening and tired 3 out, poor 2nd when fell last
led and set good pace, ridden 3 out, narrow leader when fell 2 out
held up, not fluent 2nd, slow jump 5th, headway 7th, weakened 10th, left poor 2nd last
in rear, ridden and lost touch from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
hampered and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Nenuphar Collonges finished like a train when winning last time out at Bangor, and expected to have come on for that, Alan King's French import can take this race at the main expense of Before The Mast and There Is No Doubt. The selection will appreciate the extra furlong and a half today, and with the second that day having gone in twice since, he looks to have outstanding claims. Assuming that he handles the ground, the emphasis on stamina should play to his strengths. There Is No Doubt must be respected from his powerful stable, however he has disappointed since some good performances in bumpers two years ago. It could be that chasing may show him in a better light and if fully fit, he can leave his very average hurdling form well behind. The main danger to the selection could come from course winner Before The Mast, who although falling when last seen, could put his chasing experience to good use on ground that he has proven form on. Vigoureux will love the forecast ground although he is better over a bare two miles and could find this too tough, although a repeat of his best form would put him in the mix. Nick Williams' Theocritus has performed well on two of his three chase starts, however he disappointed last time at Cheltenham and could struggle over this longer trip on ground that will fully test his limited stamina so he is passed over. Nenuphar Collonges has ticks in all the right boxes and therefore he gets the confident vote as he progresses up the chasing ladder.
Nenuphar Collonges (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, chased leader approaching 8th, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Brave Villa (10-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Theocritus (GER) 14-1 (11-8) Held up, hit 5th, driven along after 7th, progress 11th, no impression on leaders from 4 out, 5th of 15, 41l behind Notanotherdonkey (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
There Is No Doubt (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 16, 25l behind True Mariner (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Dec.
Before The Mast (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up, mistake and unseated rider in race won by Beluga (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gs, 8 ran.
Vigoureux (FR) 25-1 (9-11) Always behind, struggling from 9th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Supreme Catch (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Called To The Bar 14-1 (11-3) Led to approaching 4th, weakened last, 10th of 14, 25l behind Croc An Oir (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Jun '05.
Good Man Again (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, 6th of 8, 41l behind Curly Spencer (10-0) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
