behind, ridden halfway, tailed off & pulled up before 2nd last
held up, sme headway halfway, one-paced from 3 out
mid-division, ridden & t,o from halfway, pulled up before 2 out
mistakes, prominent, ridden & weakened 6th, behind when pulled up quickly before last
held up behind, steady headway halfway, ridden 3 out, stayed on one-paced
held up behind, pushed along 4th, headway under pressure halfway, stayed on well
held up, pushed along & stayed on from 7th
with leaders, ridden along halfway, led 6th until headed & weakened 3 out
led, mistake & headed 3rd, remained handy until ridden & one-paced 3 out
with leaders, ridden & weakened 8th
mid-division, reminders & headway 7th, led 3 out, stayed on strongly
behind, soon tailed off & pulled up before 7th
with leaders, ridden & weakened 8th, pulled up before 3 out
behind, ridden halfway, soon tailed off
held up early, ridden & headway 6th, stayed on well from 4 out
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
Shafi (IRE) Won a hunter chase last season but faces a stiff task with his weight today.
Jokers Charm Second in a couple of similar races last month, but failed to last home over 2m4f here last time out. Back over the right trip, but would ideally prefer slighly better ground.
Dragons Bay (IRE) Not the most fluent of jumpers but loves it round here and has won three times over course and distance. Is back on a fair mark now, handles most surfaces and if he can iron out those mistakes he must go well. However, jockey bookings suggest he may be the stable's second string.
Monicasman (IRE) Course winner on heavy ground but that was a long time ago and he is now 11. Well beaten in hunter chase recently and best watched here.
Play Games (USA) Capable sort but quite inconsistent and has failed to show any sparkle in last three starts. Could be freshened up after a three-month break, though and not one to rule out completely.
Queens Brigade Catterick winner in November but has been disappointing in two runs at Musselburgh since then, and is best on a faster surface.
Dragon King Has not won for 18 months and has never reached the frame on soft ground or heavy in his entire career.
San Francisco Won't mind this ground but has been well beaten in all his races this season and is basically only moderate.
Harem Scarem (IRE) Fair selling hurdler who made all on his return to fences at Lingfield and followed up with a recent second at Warwick. Clearly in decent heart and one for the shortlist.
Castle Clear (IRE) Easy winner at Southwell over a year ago but has shown nothing in three races this season and looks one to avoid.
Arctictaldi (IRE) Consistent type who wins his share and handles soft ground. Only a pound higher than when winning easily at Sedgefield on Boxing Day and has solid claims in this.
Hacketts Cross (IRE) Has failed to complete in last four starts and is clearly not the force of old.
Muhtadi (IRE) Easy winner of a selling hurdle at Catterick this season, but disappointing on only subsequent run. However, potentially well treated on his return to fences and another to put on the shortlist.
Blotoft Course and distance winner a year ago and now on a lower mark, but is much better on a faster surface.
Dellone Fair second at Folkestone in January but soundly beaten twice since and others preferred here.
Lord Discord No form for a long time and very difficult task from out of the weights.
Balla d'Aire (IRE) Still a maiden and form looks nowhere near good enough to feature in this.
