mid-division, pushed along after 4th, headway approaching 3 out, led between last 2, went right and hit last, hung left flat, just held on
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden 7th, ridden when mistake 3 out, tailed off
led, driven when mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra towards finish
prominent, went 2nd after 4th until 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last
pressed leader until after 4th, 2nd again 6th, soon driven, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway on inside 7th, outpaced approaching 2 out
soon chasing leaders, dropped rear when jumped slowly 6th, behind after, tailed off
in touch until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 3 out, slightly impeded when went 2nd flat, closed on winner towards finish, just held
held up in rear, ridden after 6th, struggling approaching 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, held up, mistake 1st, headway approaching 5th, weakened before 7th, behind when mistake 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 7th, hit 3 out, soon went 2nd, every chance between last 2, slightly hampered just after last, no extra towards finish
Most if not all of these runners have Cheltenham Festival aspirations and while Special Occasion makes plenty of appeal after a couple of good starts over timber he's not obviously well treated on his handicap bow so instead we'll turn to BOUGGLER, a two time winner in three starts over hurdles, while Fairyland shaped much better last time and is weighted to go well. After scoring on his debut in this sphere the selection then battled well to land a Grade Two event at Aintree next time up. It's that result which suggests his burden is a fair one now in this grade and he showed still to be in good heart when not disgraced in a top race in Ireland on his re-appearance. Fairyland wasn't completely disgraced in the Swinton Hurdle on her penultimate effort and seemed to step up on that when placing at Chepstow last time. She seems off a fair mark but has stamina to prove now upped in trip. Special Occasion won a bumper on his only start for his former connections and made a winning start for the champion trainer in a Novice event. That was followed with a solid run in defeat last time but again he has it to prove over this far. Lake Legend and Raslan can also be added to calculations off their current ratings but Bouggler has some good looking form to his name and looks well treated.
Trenchant 13-2 (11-10) In touch, pushed along after 4th, weakened and dropped to rear before 4 out, soon eased, last of 9, 46l behind James De Vassy (10-4) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Bouggler 12-1 (11-1) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 4th before last, no impression leaders in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Mikael D'haguenet (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl G1 hvy in May.
Raslan 12-1 (10-8) Made most until headed before 7th, stayed handy, regained lead well before 2 out, 1 length ahead when mistake, went left and left well clear 2 out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Aug beating Night Cru (10-11) by 16l, 17 ran.
Kawagino (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 16, 21l behind Elzahann (10-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Lake Legend 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, not fluent last, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gf in Feb beating Carndonagh (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Very Cool 11-4fav (10-12) Prominent, ridden 15th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Hello Bud (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Sheshali (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Towards rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Raslan (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Aug.
Two Miles West (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, hit 6th, struggling after 9th, 10th of 14, 19l behind Templer (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Rajeh (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) In touch, raced keenly, ridden and not quicken after 2 out, not fluent last, idled flat, 7th of 14, 8l behind Right Option (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Oct.
Alderluck (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Pulled hard, led after 1st, headed when hit 3 out, weakened approaching 2out, mistake last, 5th of 12, 12l behind Quiver Hill (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Friendly King 15-8fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 5th, hit next, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Teddy's Reflection (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Special Occasion 15-2 (11-9) Chased leader, led after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed soon after last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Summery Justice (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Fairyland (GER) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place approaching 4th, behind approaching 3 out, still only ninth before last, ran on well flat, went 3rd post, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Mutual Friend (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
