in touch, lost place from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, hit 10th, soon ridden, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
with leader, led 8th, headed 4 out, no impression
led to 8th, rallied 3 out, soon chased winner, no impression
tracked leaders, led 4 out, kept on well
held up and mistakes, kept on same pace from 3 out
always towards rear, struggling from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced 8th, tailed off from 3 out
held up, reminders 7th, lost place from 9th, tailed off 3 out
Youll Do For Me will do for us in this contest and he gets the vote over The Dark Lord and Brooklyn Brownie. The selection could not have made a better start to his chasing career when he beat Brooklyn Brownie at Towcester last time. He jumped really well that day and he also proved that he sees out this trip, so there should be more to come. Brooklyn Brownie returned to form with that effort last time, but it is hard to see him turning the tables today, even with this pull in the weights, as our selection is sure to come on for that outing as that was his first run of the season. The Dark Lord did not do a lot wrong when chasing home Aleron last time here, but his best form is on quicker ground than this so we are happy to oppose him. Gastornis was in fair form towards the end of last season but he has returned to the fray off a high enough mark. With all this in mind we will stick with Youll Do For Me who looks the one to beat.
Art Virginia (FR) 50-1 (10-6) Led, headed after 4th, weakened from 7th, last of 7, 30l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 3f lst hcp chs (1) gf.
Youll Do For Me (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, jumped left 9th, led 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct beating Brooklyn Brownie (11-8) by 4l, 12 ran.
Elgar 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place after 5th, weakened soon after 4 out, last of 6, 33l behind Offemont (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Led, ridden and blundered 2 out, headed approaching next, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Aleron (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Made most to 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Youll Do For Me (11-7) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led to 8th, pressed winner until approaching 3 out, left 2nd next until no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 18l behind From Dawn To Dusk (11-3) at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Gastornis 14-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 19l behind Rayshan (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Sparkling Taff 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden after 7th, soon beaten, 9th of 14, 48l behind Incas (10-11) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Aug.
Very Cool 9-1 (10-12) Mid-divsion, ridden and no headway from 3 out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Nez Rouge (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
