Unbeaten over fences, Coolvalla landed a hat-trick with a victory at Fontwell last time having earlier beaten ECHO WATT (NAP) at the same track. But the latter re-opposes on much more favourable terms today and having finished third in this last year despite racing from 5lb out of the weights, Richard Hobson’s grey should be bang there at the finish once again. Fairlawn Flyer is another progressive type with a shout and Movethechains landed a four-timer over these fences before struggling in the Welsh National. Shanty Alley has been in better form lately and Poppa Poutine drops down in class while Bells Of Peterboro is incredibly consistent and the assessor can't drop him in the ratings.
Poppa Poutine (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led until 1st, chased leaders, slow 2nd, lost place 6th, headway 14th, 3rd and no impression on winner flat, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 11, 11 1/4l behind Rapper (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Shanty Alley 11-1 (11-4) Raced wide, chased leader until 9th, went 2nd again 13th, hit 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on as winner eased towards finish, always held, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Grumpy Charley (12-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Movethechains (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Towards rear, slow jump 1st, shaken up 3rd, some headway 17th plugged on, never on terms, 5th of 17, dist behind The Two Amigos (10-6) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Bells Of Peterboro (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Prominent, close 2nd 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed leader after 2 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on but always held, 2nd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Flight Deck (12-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Achille (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, struggling from 6 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, dist behind Bangers And Cash (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Fairlawn Flyer 12-1 (11-2) Held up off the pace towards rear, good headway out wide chasing leaders before 4 out, 3rd 4 out, went 2nd approaching the last, 8 lengths down and held when left clear at the last, driven out, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating New Age Dawning (11-5) by 3l, 12 ran.
Coolvalla (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Led, briefly headed 10th, one length clear 4 out, ridden and pressed for lead 3 out, two lengths clear 2 out, good jump last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Jeffery's Cross (12-2) by 19l, 9 ran.
Don Herbager (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Off the pace in last pair, behind and struggling before 10th, finally picked up went 4th run-in, closed on 3rd but no chance with winner, 4th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Raddon Top (11-3) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Echo Watt (FR) 4-1 (12-2) In touch in mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 4 out, weakening when hampered 3 out, 4th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Galtee Mountain (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 6f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
