not jumped well, chased leader until 3rd, remained close up, chased leader again 12th, ridden and weakened 15th, pulled up 3 out
mid-division, headway 10th, left 3rd at 12th, ridden and chased winner 14th, not fluent 3 out, every chance flat, gaining near finish
held up, headway 10th, left 4th 12th, ridden to chase winner 4 out, ridden and every chance soon after 3 out, blundered next, pulled up before last
always in rear, pulled up 15th
held up in rear, ridden and headway 5 out, one pace
in rear, hampered 9th, weakened 13th, pulled up 2 out
pulled hard, led, clear 4th, mistake 9th, tried to run out, unseated rider 12th
in touch, chased leader 3rd, left in lead 12th, ridden and hit last, hung right flat
mistake 1st, held up, fell 9th
behind and pulled up before 11th
prominent, jumped slow 4th and 6th, soon weakened, behind when carried out 10th
Shining Strand gets the confident vote here with Thistlecraft and Migwell rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out on his chasing debut when defeating Classic Rock. He enters handicaps on a handy mark and off conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Thistlecraft rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Jackson but this looks more competitive and his penalty may just find him out. Migwell is another that could go well as he also won well last time when beating Pardishar but he has yet to prove he stays this far and he is opposable on that basis. Of the remainder Pak Jack looks to be on a handy mark and could go well at a price now that he has the fast surface he requires but for the winner we return to Shining Strand who jumped like an old pro last time out.
Eric's Charm (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Took keen hold in mid-division, mistake 5th, hit 8th, staying on same pace when hampered 4 out, never dangerous after, 6th of 19, 25l behind King Harald (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (A) gd in Mar.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Mistakes, behind, blundered 9th, never going well after, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Graphic Approach (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) 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.
Migwell (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Disputed lead, led after 3 out, headed last, rallied and led near finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (D) gd in Dec beating Pardishar (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Pak Jack (FR) 11-1 (10-4) Behind, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders, 7th of 14, 20l behind Town Crier (11-4) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov.
Glacial Delight (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Held up rear, headway 10th, ridden to lead after 4 out, kept on, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan beating Misty Future (11-11) by 3l, 15 ran.
Shining Strand 3-1 (11-5) Made all, soon clear, unchallenged, won at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gd in Jan beating Classic Rock (11-5) by a distance, 8 ran.
Cruising River (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Held up, hit 5th, weakened 13th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Idle Talk (11-10) at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Jack Martin (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, jumped 2nd slow, struggling from 11th, 4th of 8, 14l behind Windsor Boy (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Gallik Dawn 16-1 (10-8) Behind, some headway 12th, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Korelo (11-10) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Broadstone Road (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Never a factor, 16th of 30, more than 12l behind Back In Business (10-5) at Navan 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl sft in Jan.
