in rear, ridden and struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden towards rear 12th, behind when blundered 13th, tailed off
with leader, led 9th to 13th, soon lost place, tailed off
led to 9th, reminders and struggling 12th, well behind when blundered 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, led 4 out, hard driven and in command last, stayed on well run-in
in rear, well behind and no chance when blundered 13th
mid-division, ridden and lost place 6th, dropped to rear next, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, not fluent 6th, challenged 11th, led 13th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, steady headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders from next, blundered and weakened last
mid-division, ridden along 5th, challenged from 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace last
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, chasing leaders when hit 3 out, mistake and weakened from next
not jump well, in touch, blundered and lost place 8th, behind when blundered 12th, tailed off
ridden to 6th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 12th
chased leaders, hit 13th, weakened 2 out, dismounted after line
The return to fences may see Jean Le Poisson put up an improved show, however he has a little to prove and it is HIGH OSCAR who receives the nomination ahead of Appleaday and Portland Hill. A tricky handicap but Richard Rowe's gelding could still be well-treated despite a hefty 13lb rise in the weights for a recent Plumpton walk in the park. The step up in trip should not pose too many problems and off a nice racing weight he could run well. Briery Fox was well-fancied last time but let down backers, whilst Bob Bob Bobbin and Aztec Warrior are dangerously well-handicapped if putting their best foot forward. Pepsyrock and Jean Le Poisson have a bit to prove but it is hard to discount any of Nicky Henderson's horses, whilst Portland Bill looks the pick of the Alner pair. Timmy Murphy catches the eye as a jockey booking and the horse has gone well fresh in the past. Double Dizzy is consistent but his strike-rate is poor and he looks to be on a high enough mark, so in a competitive heat we will take a punt on High Oscar.
Kings Brook (10-1) Held up, headway and every chance last, no extra, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Jazeb (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 2f ch in Sept.
Portland Bill (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Held up, hit 3rd, not fluent 4th, blundered 9th, headway approaching 12th, beaten 4 out, weakened after 3 out, last of 4, 9l behind Trigger The Light (11-6) at Warwick 3m nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 10-1 (10-8) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Richard's Sundance (11-8) at Exeter 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Charlies Future 16-1 (10-0) Led until 13th, chased leaders until weakened 16th, 7th of 12, 37l behind Roll Along (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gd.
Alright Now M'Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led, headed 10th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, 31l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Briery Fox (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-11) Held up, headway 11th, soon chasing leaders, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Kandjar D'allier (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and weakening when mistake 16th, 7th of 12, well behind Cornish Sett (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft.
Bob Bob Bobbin 13-2 (11-8) With leader, led 10th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 40l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Double Dizzy 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, stumbled 1st, headway after 15th, every chance after 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Hoopy (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft.
Chiaro (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden after 13th, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 8, well behind Nevada Royale (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) hvy.
Appleaday (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 13th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 22l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Hit 3 out, stumbled badly 2 out, mainly towards rear, 14th of 18, well behind Pagano (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
High Oscar 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Flight Command (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Pepsyrock (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Tracked winner after 2nd until 8th, mistake 10th, ridden after 13th, weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Island Flyer (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar, 16 ran.
