mistakes and never going well in rear, ridden 8th, hit 10th, pulled up before next
blundered 1st, soon driven along in rear, jumped left 4 out, made some late headway, never in contention
behind, tailed off and no chance 4 out, pulled up before last
led 3rd, strongly pressed and narrowly headed 2 out, rallied gamely flat to regain lead towards finish
chased leaders, hit 3 out, fourth and held when blundered and weakened 2 out
behind, ridden and hit 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to take slight lead 2 out, kept on well, caught towards finish
chased leaders, chased winner 9th until 3 out, soon one pace and no impression on front pair
ridden and struggling in rear when pulled up 11th
behind, hit 7th and 11th, stayed on from 4 out, never going pace to challenge
chased leaders, ridden 12th and soon struggling, behind when jumped right 14th and pulled up
led to 3rd, chased leader to 9th, ridden and struggling after 4 out and soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 11th, tailed off 13th and pulled up before 4 out
mistake 2nd, behind, hit 4th and next, headway 14th, ridden 4 out and weakened before next
mid-division, blundered 9th, lost place before 12th, tailed off when pulled up before last
NIGHT SAFE is the tentative suggestion although Marufo could attract market support and win well whilst Tarotino should have a say if bouncing back to form. Night Safe returned from a long absence to justify market confidence at Lingfield and the runner-up proved the merit of the win by trouncing a decent Wincanton field on Boxing Day. The handicapper has resisted the temptation to raise Night Safe on the collateral form and he may be well handicapped. The yard's form is a concern, although the enforced break may have helped, and there are a number of viable alternatives. Tarotino shaped well behind Tartak on his chase bow but blotted his copybook at Wincanton; he steps up in trip for his return and could be a player. Marufo has shaped with promise once or twice but was unconsidered when winning a handicap hurdle at Aintree. He makes his chase debut from a 9lb higher mark but is bred for this game and open to improvement after just five starts. Any number of these could get involved but the last that we'll mention is Never So Blue who was entitled to have needed his run over hurdles at Chepstow. He's been well placed to win four of his seven chase starts and isn't one to rule out lightly but, despite reservations, Night Safe is the pick.
Not Left Yet (IRE) 5-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 11th, mistake 17th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Gaelic Gift (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Dr Hart (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 4th, hit 15th, weakening when hit 4 out, went moderate 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Go For One (11-2) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, chasing leaders when fell 5 out in race won by Arbor Supreme (9-10) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 gd in Apr, 24 ran.
The Sawyer (BEL) 17-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, chased leaders appoaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 15l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Which Pocket (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway after 5th, went 3rd five out, soon ridden, beaten when not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 12, 15l behind Herecomesthetruth (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Mort De Rire (FR) 13-2 (10-5) Chased leaders until 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Caribou (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar, 14 ran.
Appleaday (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up, not fluent 1st, headway 15th, chased winner approaching 4 out, ridden when went right 3 out, no impression, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 2nd of 8, 19l behind Go For One (11-2) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Killard Point (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 30l behind Orki Des Aigles (10-6) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
High Oscar 10-1 (10-4) Ridden to 6th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Never So Blue (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 18, 15l behind Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Night Safe (IRE) 5-4fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led 8th, led rest, hit 11th, pushed out and stayed on flat, won at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Nicto De Beauchene (11-9) by 3l, 6 ran.
Joyryder 17-2 (11-9) Led to 3rd, with leader, led 8th, hit 13th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 11l behind Zacharova (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Master Somerville 6-1 (11-1) Mistakes, in touch, blundered and lost place 13th, no danger after, 6th of 13, 40l behind Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Marufo (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to lead 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Clear The Way (10-8) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Royal Kicks (FR) 7-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, blundered 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, 19l behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Tarotino (FR) Evensjt-fav (11-0) Chased leader, led 4th to approaching 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 27l behind Lightning Strike (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
