led until 7th, tracked leader, under pressure 13th, weakened before 4 out
tracked leader, led 7th, headed 12th, never troubled winner after
tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, led 12th, 8 lengths clear 3 out, eased after last
Nonrunner
LATANIER has shown much improved form since being put over fences this season by Venetia Williams and the seven-year-old can record his fourth success of the campaign today, following up his recent win at Ludlow, and he gets the verdict ahead of Victorias Groom and Presenting Forever. Howard Johnson's gelding was well held in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month but this represents a big drop in class for the six-year-old and he has to be considered given his earlier form. Don McCain's Our Jim has struggled in handicaps of late and is likely to do so in this grade as well and of more interest may be Martin Keighley's Wychwoods Legend, who has been running consistently well in this grade since winning at Huntingdon in November. Lucy Wadham's Victorias Groom ran below par at Cheltenham on his most recent start and has solid claims on earlier form this term but a better bet looks to be Latanier, who can win again.
Latanier (FR) 4-7fav (11-8) Led to 4th, tracked leader, led again approaching 10th, clear from 4 out, blundered last, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft beating Kack Handed (10-12) by 12l, 5 ran.
Presenting Forever (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 6th, joined 16th, headed 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 18, 38l behind Poker De Sivola (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar.
Wychwoods Legend 5-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, pressed leader, hit 5th, led approaching 8th until mistake 10th, lost place after 12th, soon struggling, no impression after, 5th of 8, 28l behind Double Hit (10-0) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs lst nov hcp chs (5yo+) (1) sft in Mar.
Victorias Groom (GER) 20-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, lost place 11th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Great Endeavour (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Our Jim 11-2 (10-12) Led, not fluent 1st, jumped left and headed 3rd, led again narrowly 6th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on until one pace approaching last, 5th of 9, 12l behind Award Winner (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
