always behind, lost touch and pulled up after 6th
soon behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off
held up in touch, headway to chase leader 7th, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, took 2nd near finish
chased leader, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off
led, hit 7th and next, pecked 3 out, narrow advantage when blundered and headed last, ridden and kept on flat, lost 2nd near finish
Caraman gets the confident vote in this novices' chase with King Mak and Knock Boy rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair fourth in a better race than this behind Modicum last time out, and that form sets the standard. If he can run up to that mark then he can win this with a little in hand. King Mak rates the main danger on his best form but he ran no sort of race last time out and with his yard going through a quiet spell he is opposed. Knock Boy was a fair fourth behind Polinamix last time and is another with place claims but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find with the principals. Champagne Rossini was a fair second behind Beggars Cap last time but he is best when allowed to dominate and as he looks sure to be taken on for the lead he is opposed. Caraman has everything in his favour and it will be disappointing if he does not end up in the winners enclosure.
Ar An Shron 33-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, pushed along 5th, lost place 7th, soon behind, 9th of 13, well behind Terramarique (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Barati (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden and weakened 7th, tailed off, 3rd of 5, 36l behind Fandani (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Caraman (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 33l behind Modicum (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gd in Feb.
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Led to 6th, chased winner, no impression, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Beggars Cap (11-4) at Southwell 2m nov chs (3) gf in Feb.
King Mak 9-1 (10-12) With leaders and jumped right, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 6, 40l behind King Daniel (10-7) at Catterick 2m nov chs (4) sft in Feb.
Symbiosis 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, never dangerous, 4th of 5, 20l behind Souri Des Champs (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 4f mrs nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Knock Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 12th, ridden and weakened last, 4th of 6, 21l behind Polinamix (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov chs (4) gs in Feb.