tracked leaders and keen, weakening when blundered 12th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, quickly pulled up after 7th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
led, headed 6th, led again 11th, headed 13th, ridden and 4 lengths down in 2nd when fell 3 out
chased leaders, took closer order after 10th, in 5th when quickly weakened and pulled up 10th
always towards rear, weakened from 11th
in touch, hit 13th, led 6th, headed 11th, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, in 3rd when weakening and blundered last
mid-division, weakened from 12th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, led 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, drew clear from last
held up, headway 4 out, 6 lengths down in 2nd when swerved left and saddled slipped last, lost 2nd close home
held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 4 out
Monti Flyer can defy topweight over Fireaway, with Benefit and Were Not Stoppin two others in with a shout. Monti Flyer was a beaten favourite on his chase debut at Fontwell on what was his first outing since November, and it has to be said that he did tend to run in snatches. However, that outing will have brought him on, and with the step up in trip to help, Paul Nicholls' charge can score despite having to give weight away all round. Fireaway is more experienced and helped make the early running here last time. He can give the selection most to do along with Benefit who has a light weight here. Of the rest, Were Not Stoppin, who had a stiff task in hunter chase company last time, makes some appeal for a place, but Monti Flyer has the potential to go on to better things and is the pick.
Monti Flyer 7-4fav Took keen hold, held up last, headway to chase leaders 9th, driven and outpaced before 3 out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Silver Inngot at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (E) gf.
Fireaway 9-1 Led to 4th, remained close up, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Jaffa at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd.
Columbus (IRE) 8-1 Held up in rear, headway 5 out, soon no impression, 6th of 11, 11l behind Cinnamon Line at Chepstow 3m beg chs (E) gd in Mar.
Fearless Mel (IRE) 9-1 Held up, disputing 4th when fell at the 8th in race won by Kittenkat at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Ross Leader (IRE) 9-1 Always behind, struggling 10th, tailed off, 9th of 15, 49l behind Native Daisy at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Now Then Sid 50-1 Always towards rear, 9th of 14, 26l behind Ebinzayd at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (E) gs in Jan.
Were Not Stoppin 25-1 Held up towards rear, close up 8th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to go 3rd 2 out, no impression on first two, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Mister Friday at Market Rasen 3m 1f hts chs (H) gd.
Benefit 25-1 Held up in touch, outpaced and pushed along 13th, left poor 4th 4 out, went 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Manbow at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Mar.
