mostly jumped well, disputed lead, slight lead 6th to 8th, led and definite advantage from 10th, made rest, clear between last 2, eased run-in
not fluent, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 14th, about 1 length down when fell 4 out
held up and close 5th, left 2nd 4 out, ridden next, no impression after 2 out
held up in close 4th, went 3rd after 14th until brought down 4 out
slight lead until hit 6th, narrow lead 8th until 10th, chased winner to 14th, weakened into last when left poor 3rd 4 out
Pulled up in the Grand National last season, MR POINTMENT ran better back over the national fences last time when second to easy winner Black Apalachi in the Becher Chase last month and the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is taken to resume winning ways here, getting the vote ahead of Money Trix and Trigger The Light. Alan King's gelding fell on his reappearance at Wincanton and again made mistakes on his only subsequent start at Cheltenham but he has to be considered on his form of last season and would have claims if his jumping holds up. Gone To Lunch is going the right way over fences and has been good value for his wins last month at Hereford and here at Newbury in his last two starts. This is tougher but Jeremy Scott's gelding has solid claims and makes more appeal than Brendan Powell's Sir Bathwick, who ran creditably when chasing home Laskari at Kempton last time but he does need to improve on that form to trouble the judge. Money Trix was decent over hurdles and made a pleasing start to his chasing career when landing a similar contest to this at Newcastle when last seen in January. He has to be respected for Nicky Richards but Mr Pointment has solid claims back over normal fences and he is preferred.
Gone To Lunch (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 12th, upsides 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, narrow lead 2 out, hung left under pressure run-in, stayed on well, won at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov beating Tartak (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Money Trix (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Soon tracking leader, led approaching 4 out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 3m Grad Ch (2) sft in Jan beating Gidam Gidam (11-7) by 11l, 5 ran.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, steady headway from 10th, chased winner from 15th (Canal Turn), not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, stopped to a walk 150 yards out and lost 2nd, rallied to regain 2nd, 2nd of 13, well behind Black Apalachi (10-5) at Aintree.
Trigger The Light 17-2 (10-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 8th, headway from 12th, blundered badly 16th, ridden when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 35l behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Laskari (10-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
