always in touch, close up 4th when fell 12th
raced mid-division, mistake 13th, pulled up before 15th
tracked leader, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
led 2nd, headed after 8th, ridden and weakened 12th
led 1st, chased leaders next, 3rd and ridden approaching 4 out, one pace next
soon ridden along, in rear
in touch, ridden and headway 12th, went 2nd 15th, led 3 out, kept on well
mid-division, mistake 8th, never nearer
tracked leaders throughout, ridden 4 out, kept on go 2nd 2 out
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
mid-division until lost touch 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
Magical Bailiwick won with any amount in hand at Cheltenham on New Year's Eve and has to be the choice to add to that success here with just a 7lb penalty, with Famfoni and The Rebel Lady likely to be his main rivals. Martin Pipe's charge drops back in trip slightly, but having won the time before over 2m 3f, that should not make any difference and while he is in form we will jump on the bandwagon and trust him to continue his momentum here. Famfoni was last seen out winning the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham 14 months ago and clearly stays forever. This trip may be too short for the gelding these days, though he has won over course and distance two years ago and off just 2lb higher than that Cheltenham win, provided he is fully wound up first time he would have to be seen as the chief threat to the selection. Of the others, The Rebel Lady shoulders top weight and has gone well enough here in the past. She clearly enjoys a decent surface and was an easy winner on good to firm at Huntingdon earlier in the season, before too much cut put paid to her chances there next time. That run can be forgiven and back on good going she can make the frame, but for the winner we will look to Magical Bailiwick to do us a favour.
