led, ridden last, headed and edged right flat, kept on
always in rear, in touch before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, soon outpaced, no impression after, plugged on
chased leaders, went 2nd and not much room briefly before last, led flat, ridden out
pressed leader, mistake and reminder 6th, lost 2nd before last, stayed on same pace
NonRunner
Dr Sanderson is potentially well treated on recent chase form but an even stronger case can be made for CAPTAIN TOMCAT (NAP). The top weight won three times over the smaller obstacles in the second half of 2020 and is currently rated 14lb higher over fences. Coolbane Boy has ability but is hard to catch right. Jersey Wonder is preferred to Faron and Willaston with the latter proving difficult to place.
Captain Tom Cat (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Led, fiddled 6th, hit 8th and headed, chased winner but no impression from 4 out, 10 lengths down when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Dr Sanderson (IRE) 4-1 (11-13) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 9th, disputing 5 lengths 3rd when mistake and unseated rider last, at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Coolbane Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 8th of 13, dist behind Wbee (11-7) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Willaston (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd from last, strong challenge from final bend, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Liffeydale Dreamer (12-0) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Jersey Wonder (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent early, chased leaders, lost place before 4th, ridden before 7th, outpaced and no impression from 3 out, 4th of 6, 7l behind Moon King (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Faron (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Led, joined 3 out, pushed along and headed approaching last, no impression on winner early run-in, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 7 1/2l behind Sheishybrid (10-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 2f hcp gd in Aug.