in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance when jumped slowly 2 out, went 2nd last, one pace after
tracked leaders, reminders after 7th, ridden after 13th, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 8th, blundered and lost place 9th, rallied 13th, close 3rd when unseated rider
prominent, ridden 11th, weakened after 2 out
prominent, led 10th to 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, close 5th when blundered and unseated rider
led to 10th, led again 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat
Surefast should be the answer to this handicap chase with Hazeljack and Free To Run others that form the shortlist. The selection is in terrific form and he won last time when beating Autumn Mist at Plumpton despite not necessarily being at his best. He had been hit by a bug in the build-up to this race so there is every chance that there is more to come and he looks the one to side with as his recent form reads 4 wins from his last 7 starts. Hazeljack will have ground conditions to suit and he is of serious interest here as he has been running in much better company than this. Free To Run is from a leading yard and he is worth noting in the market as he is dropped in trip. Young Lorcan is a game and consistent sort so he could go well at a price, but for the winner we return to the in-form Surefast.
Rudolf Rassendyll (IRE) 12-1 Held up, ridden and effort 3 out, blundered last, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 24l behind Harrycone Lewis at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Jan.
Surefast 4-5fav Held up, mistake 9th, headway from 12th, mistake 4 out, led and hit 2 out, all out flat, won at Plumpton 3m 2f chs (F) sft in Jan beating Autumn Mist by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Young Lorcan 11-1 Held up, headway 10th, led 14th, headed 3 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Tanterari at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (F) hvy in Feb.
Free To Run (IRE) 20-1 With leaders, mistake 11th, weakened approaching 16th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Harlov at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
Hazeljack 100-1 Chased leaders to 12th, ridden and weakened quickly 15th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Distant Thunder at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Stand Easy (IRE) 33-1 Always behind, 5th of 9, 26l behind Ossmoses at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (C) in Feb.
Kansas City (FR) 40-1 With leader, led 2nd to 7th, weakened 11th, tailed off, 3rd of 8, well behind Jordans Lad at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Feb.
