held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression
always towards rear
behind, effort 4 out, never dangerous
chased leaders early, behind when unseated rider 5th
towards rear, outpaced from 5 out
chased leader, took closer order 7th, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up, mistake 3rd, weakened from 8th
chased leaders, one pace from 3 out
chased leaders, every chance 2 out until no extra run-in
led, hit 8th, soon joined, headed approaching 3 out, not fluent next, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened 10th, pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened from 4 out
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well run-in
held up mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
Zacharova won so easily at Market Rasen that it's hard to get away from him even allowing for his penalty but expect a big run from Can't Buy Time whilst Kentmere, Donald Will Do and The Ring also enter calculations. The selection showed little on his first two starts over fences but he got his act together in no uncertain fashion last time. His jumping showed no sign of previous frailties and his jockey was able to ease him down to a walk in the closing stages. The negatives are that this is more competitive and that he disappointed when making a quick reappearance under a penalty over hurdles. Can't Buy Time created a favourable impression in a more competitive heat on his chase bow and should win races from his current mark. Kentmere stayed on well last time and may prove more effective at this longer trip whereas Donald Will Do's stamina appeared to fail him at this track last time and he may benefit from the drop. The Ring should be thereabouts but last year's winner Parish Oak hasn't been running well enough to be seriously fancied despite the yard's recent return to form. We'll side with the obvious claims of Zacharova.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 10th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Jolejoker (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Molostiep (FR) 11-1 (11-8) Behind, headway 13th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 15, 9l behind Kathleens Pride (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Et Maintenant (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Steadied start, headway and still going well approaching 4 out, ridden and beaten when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 36l behind Major Euro (10-9) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Thenford Flyer (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always in rear, behind 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Climate Change (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan, 12 ran.
Kentmere (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, stayed on, never able to challenge, 4th of 11, 8l behind Zorro De La Vega (11-2) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Prominent, mistake 10th, ridden 13th, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Sovereign's Joy (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
The Ring (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on strongly, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ouragan De Prairie (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Easter Present (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Close up, bad mistake 13th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Maori Legend (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Muttley Maguire (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Led and disputed, definite advantage when hit 4 out, joined last, kept on well, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov '05 beating Majestic Moonbeam (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Zacharova (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) With leader, led 4 out, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Adare Prince (11-3) by 21l, 6 ran.
Olival (FR) 33-1 (10-7) brought down at the 2nd in race won by Jolejoker (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Gerrard (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 4th, headed after 9th, rallied 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Alpha Gamble (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 5f amt hcp chs (5) gs in Jan.
Parish Oak 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Mylord Collonges (10-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Solarias Quest 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leaders when fell in race won by Seymar Lad (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (4) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, stayed on from 3 out, not reach leaders, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Wild Ground (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 28-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed after 4th, weakened from 9th, tailed off, 5th of 6, 48l behind Zacharova (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.