held up, jumped slow throughout, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon one pace, jumped right last
with leader, led 10th, mistake and headed 13th, chased winner until over 2 out, soon weakened
jumped right 1st, led, headed 10th, ridden and weakened 16th, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden 11th, weakened 13th
held up, mistake 14th, improved 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, soon no impression
held up, mistake 10th, soon behind, pulled up 12th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Making it onto the shortlist here are Presenting Express, Thistlecraft and Lord Olympia, with the vote going to Presenting Express. In many ways, the race revolves around the selection who has looked highly progressive in winning his last three races. He has been raised 31 pounds in the process but we feel he can make a bold bid to defy the handicapper yet again. Thistlecraft has already proven himself a much better chaser than hurdler and clearly appreciated the step up to three miles when winning last time, and is respected, while Lord Olympia is fairly rated based on his best hurdling form, and despite having fallen in his last two starts following a Folkestone win, his overall profile leads us to give him a chance today. Of course, the best of these over hurdles was the 126-rated Listed winner The Dark Lord, but he has yet to shine over fences, and for that reason cannot be the main choice. Finally, Alderburn , who fell at the first last time, is fairly weighted based on his consistent hurdling form and Bell Lane Lad, who will race in first-time blinkers today, ran well over course and distance two runs ago and might make the frame. Overall, though, we will stick with Presenting Express.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up, hit 5th, headway 10th, hit 13th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 11, 25l behind Mort De Rire (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
Va Vavoom (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, closer order 11th, mistake next, ridden to chase leader when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 26l behind Joaaci (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Alderburn 9-2 (11-6) fell in race won by Mort De Rire (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd in Jan, 11 ran.
Wenceslas (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Made all, kept on well, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f nov chs (E) gd in Dec beating Dictator (10-7) by 2l, 6 ran.
Bell Lane Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, stayed prominent, weakening when blundered 10th and, 4th of 7, well behind He's The Guv'nor (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (E) hvy in Dec.
Compo (IRE) 4-5fav (11-8) Towards rear, closer in 4th from 6 out, ridden in 5th approaching 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from between last 2, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Maristania (9-10) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-109 sft in Jan.
First De La Brunie (FR) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up, ridden 9th, soon weakened pulled up 2 out in race won by Lubinas (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 10th, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Fakenham 3m beg chs (3) gd in Jan beating Jackson (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lord Olympia (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, headway and chased leader 4 out, challenged approaching 3 out, soon ridden, every chance 3 out, beaten when fell at the last in race won by Almost Broke (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Balladeer (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, took closer order 11th, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Walcot Lad (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Party Games (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 17th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 10, well behind Almost Broke (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Presenting Express (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Held up, steady headway 12th, led 15th, in command after 3 out, eased run-in, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Stormy Skye (11-6) by 5l, 10 ran.
Fullards 22-1 (10-1) Led to 1st, led again 3rd, ridden and headed after 9th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 17, 23l behind Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
