held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, struggling 9th, soon behind, pulled up after 13th
tracked leader, hit 1st, mistake 9th, weakened before 4 out
behind, hampered 2nd, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, blundered 12th, soon under pressure, weakened before 4 out
tracked leaders, jumped left throughout, led 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on well
led, headed 3 out, weakened quickly
held up, hampered 2nd, slow 6th, lost place halfway, soon tailed off, pulled up
held up, hampered and unseated rider 2nd
held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, jumped left next, headway halfway, reminders approaching 11th, soon under pressure, fell 12th
CAST CADA is given the nod here ahead of Meanus Dandy and Khachaturian. Charlie Mann's consistent gelding was a decent second at Uttoxeter on his recent chasing debut. The horse that he played second fiddle to looks a nice prospect and the form should stack up so having learnt from that run he may be hard to beat. Doctor Pat cannot be overlooked coming across from France, Cardinal Spirit didn't shape with too much promise at Haydock last time out but the ground was desperate, whilst course winner Dover's Hill has plenty to find on the hurdles ratings. Edgover has shaped with promise of late behind two nice horses but his form needs improving on, Khachaturian has made a decent start to his chasing career without winning, whilst Picture In The Sky was highly-tried in the stayers race at Cheltenham when last seen. Meanus Dandy has cleaned up between the flags over the last year and is likely to make a splash over fences. He was well-held on his recent chasing bow at Chepstow but may fare better on this decent ground. Improvement is expected from The Jazz Musician now tackling fences, however it is Cast Cada who is readily preferred.
Cardinal Spirit 16-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, blundered 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Never So Blue (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 9 ran.
Cast Cada (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Led 2nd, joined 3 out, ridden after next, headed just after last, stayed on, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Finney (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Dover's Hill 12-1 (11-1) Jumped right and mistake 1st, behind, slightly hampered 6th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 28l behind Take The Breeze (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft.
Edgeover 33-1 (11-3) Pressed winner, challenged from 4th, mistake 6th, took narrow lead next until blundered and headed 3 out, soon no chance with winner but kept on gamely to hold well held 2nd, 2nd of 7, 10l behind French Opera (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Khachaturian (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Disputing 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Door Boy (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Meanus Dandy (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Led to approaching 3rd, stayed prominent, chased winner from 9th until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, lost poor 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 24l behind Jaunty Journey (10-13) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
Picture In The Sky (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Mid-division, losing place when hit 6th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Weapon's Amnesty (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar, 17 ran.
Swordsman (GER) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, lost place 11th, headway after 14th, weakened approaching 2 out, went moderate 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Irish Legend (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
The Jazz Musician (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along 8th, soon struggling, 13th of 14, well behind Synchronised (10-4) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Toomuchinformation 100-1 (10-10) In rear, mistake and ridden 6th, struggling after next, well behind 8th, plugged on approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 19l behind Crashtown Hall (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Doctor Pat (IRE) (10-3) 6th of 10, 25l behind Synaptique (10-12) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 4f chs gs.
