tracked leaders, reminders 3rd, ridden 8th, weakened 12th
in touch, mistake 2nd, mistake again 10th, weakened 12th, behind when mistake 4 out
tracked winner throughout, mistake 10th, hit 16th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, some headway 11th, chasing leading pair when weakened, mistake 15th
held up rear, hit 1st, 2nd, behind from 7th, stayed on from beaten horses from 3 out
mid division, lost touch from 8th
made all, clear from 11th, distance clear approaching last, unchallenged
Jackson gets the call here ahead of Blue Business and Team Tassel. The selection was as good as any of these over hurdles and comes here fit following a good fifth in a valuable handicap at Cheltenham. He will have been well schooled for his chasing debut and rates an interesting prospect. Of course, Blue Business will be no pushover as Paul Nicholls' gelding wasn't far behind him over the smaller obstacles and, after a promising fencing debut, then fell at Cheltenham. This level should be more to his liking, though, and he can go well. Team Tassel looked decent when scoring at Cheltenham a year ago and, despite his form then dropping away, you would not put it past Martin Pipe working the oracle once again. Lord Olympia was highly tried after his novice hurdle win but is bred for this game and might go well, while Victory Gunner was decent over hurdles but fell on his chasing debut. However, the vote stays with Jackson.
Blue Business 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged from 6th, led and hit 12th, narrowly headed 4 out, every chance when blundered and fell 2 out in race won by Church Island (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (B) gs, 7 ran.
Jackson (FR) 8-1 (10-4) Raced wide, close up, challenged and hit 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 17, 10l behind Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Lord Olympia (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Prominent, weakened before 6th, tailed off when hit 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Julius Caesar (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Rosses Point (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up and behind, ridden when badly hampered 8th, no chance afterwards, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Copsale Lad (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Team Tassel (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, weakened approaching last, 20th of 22, 24l behind Oulart (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent when fell at the 8th in race won by Lord Killeshanra (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (C) gs, 13 ran.
Witness Time (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Led to 3rd, chased leaders to 8th, soon behind, 8th of 15, well behind Ballycassidy (11-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Jun.
Zabenz (NZ) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led after 8th, headed approaching 4 out, soon lost touch, 4th of 13, 15l behind Lord Killeshanra (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (C) gs.
Thyne Spirit (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost touch after 4th, soon tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Ostfanni (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
