mostly jumped well, tracked leader, led 4 out, blundered 2 out, drew clear approaching last, stayed on well
led, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th and no chance when mistake last
held up in 4th, not fluent 5th, headway 9th, mistake and outpaced 4 out, kept on same pace after
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, driven to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression under pressure approaching last
not fluent, always in rear, mistake 5th and 7th, outpaced from 9th, blundered 2 out
An open looking event and none can be safely discounted. Mercato was going like a winner when losing his jockey four out at Huntingdon in the week. Although this is much tougher it would be folly to underestimate him. Tysou is a promising sort, but will have to find improvement on what he has shown over fences so far, if he is take a hand in this, while Golden Alpha will be happier around this sharper circuit after failing to get up the hill at Cheltenham on his last two completed outings over fences. Farmer Jack, a more than useful hurdler, has already proved himself a better chaser and looks sure to run well in this. However, he faces a tough task trying to give 8lbs to the five-year-old Epervier D'Or, who is the selection. Paul Nicholls' French bred is unbeaten this side of the water and impressed when landing the valuable Wayward Lad Chase here over Christmas.
