took keen hold, chased winner throughout, ridden before last, stayed on under pressure run-in, always held
mostly jumped well, fiddled 7th, pushed along approaching 4 out, shaken up before 2 out, driven between last 2, stayed on gamely run-in
tracked leading trio, chased leading pair after 8th, not fluent 9th and 4 out, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace and no danger after
chased leading pair until not fluent and went right 5th, 3rd soon after until after 8th, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Far West beat a subsequent winner in a similar contest over course and distance last month and is only a couple of pounds higher. He makes more appeal that the hat-trick seeking Top Gamble on today's terms, though the latter has taken well to fences. The larger obstacles could be the making of MOUNTAIN KING (NAP), who has attracted market support in his last two starts over hurdles in decent company. He didn't appear to stay 2m4f at Aintree last time and can score on his chasing bow getting plenty of weight from the two previous winners. Citizenship ran better than expected on his debut over fences at Ludlow and will like the going but is a couple of pounds out of the handicap.
Far West (FR) 9-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching last, slightly hampered and switched left run-in, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won at Newbury 2m 1f nov hcp chs (3) gs in Dec beating Seventh Sky (10-10) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Top Gamble (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Made all, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m nov hcap ch (3) sft in Dec beating Jumps Road (11-1) by 7l, 9 ran.
Mountain King 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 12, 20l behind Dawalan (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Citizenship 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 10th, led 3 out, 3 1/2 lengths clear when mistake last, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Hold Court (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
