Reve beat a subsequent winner at Southwell in November but Forgot To Ask is proving hard to place this season and Ami Desbois is having a first run in 11 months. Legends Gold made a winning start over fences and would have gone close had she not fallen next time at Uttoxeter but she was never travelling last time at Warwick. MR CLARKSON was still in front when over-jumping and unseating his rider at the second-last at Taunton. He’s been rather harshly raised 3lb but might still be well treated on his best form. Fagan was just behind a subsequent winner when third over course and distance last month and looks the danger.
Ami Desbois (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Always rear-division, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up 3 out, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Saint Xavier (FR) 18-1 (11-9) Towards rear, ridden after the 6th, tailed off 9th, pulled up before 4 out (usually 5 out), at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Fagan 5-1 (11-9) Restrained in rear, awkward 16th, steady headway before 4 out, driven before 3 out, stayed on from last but could not reach leading pair, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Roll Again (11-12) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Legends Gold (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway 10th, outpaced before 11th, well beaten from next, 5th of 7, 35 3/4l behind Zambella (11-5) at Warwick 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Dec.
Mr Clarkson (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Prominent, upped tempo and led far side final circuit, led 3 out, led and every chance when knuckled on landing and unseated rider 2 out, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Reve 28-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 6th, led 13th mistake last, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Who's In The Box (10-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Forgot To Ask (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway into 2nd at 15th, led 4 out until before next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7 1/2l behind Darlac (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Full Glass (FR) 150-1 (10-11) In rear, awkward jump 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.