led 2nd, clear 4th, ridden after next, headed 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up behind leaders, ridden after 8th, challenged for 3rd 3 out, weakened next
held up, blundered badly 6th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, found little
led until 2nd, chased leader, led 4 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, ridden out
held up behind leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
soon chasing leaders, ridden after 8th, one pace from 3 out
Brave Villa is the highest rated of these chasers, but hasn't completed any of his last three races, and we think this could be between Fix The Rib and PICOT DE SAY, with the latter being our selection. The ground won't be a problem, and he comes here in good form, having not been out of the first three in his last five races, of which he won two. He's one of several here entered for Saturday's steeplechase at Doncaster, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be going in that. This could be a warm up. Fix The Rib won on his chase debut after not really impressing while hurdling. Another front running display is expected from Gary Moore's gelding, but there'd be a question mark about the ground, as he may want it faster. Brave Villa has to defy top weight, and after some disappointing runs of late, he's got first time blinkers and a tongue strap to try and remain focussed. It may not be enough though, although he could have each way claims, so we'll side with Picot De Say.
Brave Villa (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Led, jumped right 3rd, jumped right 4th, soon headed, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Amble Forge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Bonchester Bridge 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, 6th of 15, 33l behind Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Picot de Say 7-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 7th, chased winner from 4 out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Lorient Express (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Pepsyrock (FR) 5-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, 18l behind Master Medic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Led, narrowly headed 4 out, rallied and ridden to regain lead and hit 2 out, clear before last, driven and stayed on well, won at Folkestone 2m mdn chs (4) gd beating Quartano (11-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Silver Adonis (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, narrow lead when fell 2 out in race won by Laharna (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Farmer's Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway 12th, no chance from 4 out, 3rd of 12, 17l behind Alcatras (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
