held up, effort approaching 3 out, mistake and weakened next
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, 2nd and upsides, led going well last, driven and stayed on well
keen hold in touch, stumbled well before 3 out, weakened next, fell last
held up in rear, driven along after 3 out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, behind when hampered last
held up in rear, ridden before 9th, moderate headway from 2 out, never a danger
always behind, under pressure and beaten before 8th, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden well before 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden to chase leading pair soon after 3 out, one pace before last
held up in rear, shaken up approaching 2 out, ran on flat
chased leaders, led 6th, hit 3 out, driven and strongly pressed 2 out, headed last, not pace of winner
chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, weakened 2 out, behind when brought down last
led, mistake and headed 6th, behind from 8th, soon tailed off
Nonrunner
The Market Man is selected to follow up his comeback win ahead of Il Duce, Ostfanni and Amicelli who all line up in fair form at present. Nicky Henderson will be hoping that the rain stays away for The Market Man, as he must have good ground to be seen to best effect, and indeed missed opportunities at both Cheltenham and Aintree last spring for that very reason. The New Zealand import reappeared at Cheltenham in October and beat a large field decisively with conditions in his favour, and does not look harshly treated off an eight-pound higher mark. He runs here instead of tackling Listed company on Saturday and should be followed before he eventually goes chasing. Connections of Il Duce will be keen for him to strike, as he is set to go up seven-pounds from Saturday, and on the evidence of a cracking comeback second at Cheltenham where a blunder at the last ruined his chance, Alan King's charge should give the selection a race. Ostfanni has already rattled up a four-timer, albeit in lower company, and has been kept busy on the Flat as well, while Amicelli has been well placed to land three of of his four starts this term and can probably afford to go up another few pounds before being halted by the handicapper. Another decent contest then, and one in which The Market Man is the pick.
Bounce Back (USA) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced in rear 9th, soon tailed off, mistake 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by I Hear Thunder (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
The Market Man (NZ) 9-2jt-fav (10-13) Held up in mid-division, good headway when slightly hampered 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Oct beating Fire Dragon (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Il Duce (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led and not fluent last, soon headed, ran on, 2nd of 23, hd behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.
Cool Roxy 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division, closer orders 6th, mistake 7th, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Croix De Guerre (11-11) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Oct.
Mythical King (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up, headway after 9th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed and not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Overserved (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy.
World Wide Web (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Raced wide, always in rear, 9th of 17, 28l behind Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Global Challenge (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, every chance when carried right 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Downing Street (10-13) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jul.
Phar From Frosty (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 17, 33l behind Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Hidden Bounty (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 25l behind Mister Arjay (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Oct.
Ostfanni (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, soon chased leader, challenged and led last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Oct beating Darasim (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Amicelli (GER) 6-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden 2 out, hard ridden from last, held on well towards finish, won at Market Rasen 3m nov hdl (D) gd in Oct beating Restart (10-11) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Versus (GER) 8-1 (11-9) Prominent, led after 4th until 3 out, soon weakened, left 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 30l behind Monger Lane (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) hvy in Apr.
Redde (IRE) 100-1 (9-13) Prominent to 5th, tailed off, 12th of 18, well behind Sungates (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Feb.
Olaso (GER) 9-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 9th, tracked leading pair 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, driven before last, not quicken and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 17, 3l behind Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
