chased leaders, pushed along approaching 4 out, stayed on to dispute 2nd and not fluent last, no extra run-in
chased winner, pushed along after 4 out, stayed challenging, rallied under pressure and edged right run-in, always just held
raced freely, made most, jumped right 4 out and next, stayed on under pressure and held on run-in
not fluent, close up, mistake 10th, hit 4 out, blundered and weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, pecked 13th, stayed on from next, not reach leaders and never dangerous
in touch, jumped slowly 10th, weakened before 13th, hit 4 out, no chance when blundered badly and unseated rider next
Nonrunner
In what is a fairly tight affair, the vote goes to Ile de Paris, with the main dangers given as Were In Touch, I Hear Thunder, Kosmos Bleu and Roschal. Starting at the top of the weights then, and Were In Touch won a soft beginners' event at Taunton last time but, on the upgrade, does not look too badly handicapped at the moment. Ile de Paris is also on-the-up and benefited from a combative McCoy ride when narrowly scoring at Exeter last time. Given that he a little bit lazy, he could be on the right side of the handicapper. I Hear Thunder is rarely out of the money and, having won at Folkestone, comes here on a high and should put in a bold show. Kosmos Bleu put in a solid effort when second - stepped up to this trip for the first time - last time, and there's no reason why he should not go well again. Lightly-raced, Roschal has won two of his last three races but has been put up four pounds for scrambling home at Ludlow, although, like his stable companion lle de Paris, he can idle and could be ahead of the assessor. Jaoka du Gord and Acertack, in our view, probably need to find a pound or two more to score which returns us to the selection, which is Ile de Paris, assuming that he has by now bypassed Ludlow on Thursday and Richard Johnson elects to take the ride.
Were In Touch (IRE) 15-8fav In touch, headway after 10th to join leader, led 11th, blundered 13th, not fluent and ridden 3 out, stayed on well from last, won at Taunton 3m beg chs (D) gs in Feb beating Bob Ar Aghaidh by 3/4l, 10 ran.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 9-4fav Prominent, led 10th, in command when mistake 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chs (E) gs in Feb beating Mandingo Chief by 9l, 12 ran.
Kosmos Bleu (FR) 8-1 Held up towards rear, headway 12th, chased leader 4 out, ridden 3 out, ran on from 2 out, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Osiris at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Roschal (IRE) 7-4fav Held up, headway approaching 10th, led 13th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied to lead close home, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Feb beating Saafend Rocket by a hd, 11 ran.
Jaoka du Gord (FR) 5-1 Held up in rear, headway approaching 10th, went 2nd after 4 out, kept on from 2 out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Courage Under Fire at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Feb.
Acertack (IRE) 10-1 Led, mistake and headed 13th, ridden and switched left approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Osiris at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Ile de Paris (FR) 2-1jt-fav Made all, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, just held on, won at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (E) sft in Jan beating Le Jaguar by a shd, 9 ran.
