led, clear 8th, still about 10 lengths ahead but pushed along before 3 out, reduced lead and ridden approaching next, headed just before last, weakened flat, finished tired
patiently ridden and tracked clear leader until 4th, went 2nd again 9th and clear of rest next, pushed along and 10 lengths to find before 3 out, ridden and closed before next, driven to lead just before last, clear flat
in touch in 4th until pushed along after 7th, strugging next, tailed off 10th, pulled up after 4 out
raced in 4th, headway to chase leader 4th until 9th, beaten next, tailed off in 3rd and no chance when blundered 11th, pulled up after 4 out
There are a few question marks hanging over Punchestowns now after he was soundly beaten in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham last month. That was the third time in a row that he failed to justify favouritism and, though this easier grade and shorter trip is to his advantage, he probably isn't one to take a short price about at the moment. PASCO has a bit to find at the weights but is an honest sort and a specialist over this distance. He lost nothing in defeat when trying to give Mount Oscar 12lb on his reappearance at Newbury and McCoy will make good use of him around here. Crack Away Jack has promised more than he's delivered over fences so far but should be better for his reappearance in the Victor Chandler Chase and has more scope than Wincanton winner Bugsy's Boy.
Pasco (SWI) 5-1 (11-12) In touch on inside, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Mount Oscar (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Punchestowns (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Not fluent, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th, not fluent 8th, dropped to 3rd 11th, not fluent 13th, disputing 2nd after until blundered 15th, went 2nd again 4 out until between last 2, weakened soon after, 3rd of 5, 32l behind Neptune Collonges (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Bugsy's Boy 12-1 (10-4) Always prominent, not fluent 10th, led approaching 3 out, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Holmwood Legend (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Crack Away Jack 14-1 (11-7) Always in rear, mistake 2nd, never a factor, 8th of 9, well behind Master Minded (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Jan.
