raced in 4th, hit 6th and 10th, went 3rd 4 out, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
led to 3rd, chased leader, led 7th, pecked 10th, headed 11th, stayed challenging, led again and hit 4 out, came clear from 2 out, kept on strongly
chased winner, led 3rd to 7th, led again and hit 11th, headed 4 out, chased winner to 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up last, blundered 7th, mistake 9th, driven along 12th, moderate progress to take 4th run-in
mistakes, tracked leading pair, hit 4th and next, mistakes 7th and 11th, blundered 12th, ridden 4 out, soon struggling
ROLL ALONG stands out at the weights here, and although this is far from a done deal, he is given the vote to come good at the main expense of Big Fella Thanks. The selection was good enough to run in last season's Gold Cup as a novice, when he finished 24 lengths adrift of Kauto Star. A literal interpretation of that form certainly entitles him to win this at these weights, and he goes well on good ground or softer. He can make the odd mistake and he also has a bit to prove after a moderate effort at Carlisle on his seasonal return, but he has has a nice break since then and we will give him another chance. Big Fella Thanks, unusually named after a greyhound, is a soft ground performer who stays three miles. He won the valuable Sky Bet Chase 11 months ago before running well in the Racing Post Chase, and finishing just outside the frame in the Grand National. He will take a bit of beating even though the weights don't favour him, and he is respected. Carruthers is a lovely front-running chaser who will make this a real test of stamina. He stays this trip and acts on bottomless ground, so cannot be ruled out. However, we can envisage something coming past him after the second-last. Irish National winner Niche Market had to give best to Denman in the Hennessy, where he was beaten over seven lengths into third, but if anything this trip may be a bit on the short side for him and we'll take him on. Massini's Maguire helps to make this a cracking contest. He acts with cut, and does not have much to find to get very competitive, though his stamina will really be tested and he has that to prove over this trip as far as this judge is concerned. Fearing Big Fella Thanks, we will give Roll Along one more chance.
Big Fella Thanks 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway and in touch halfway, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 40, 23l behind Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Carruthers 9-1 (11-12) Prominent, mistake 1st, led 4th, headed approaching 7th, chased leaders 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 18, 16l behind Ellerslie George (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Niche Market (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Chased leader, led 7th to 10th, led 14th until mistake and headed next, stayed challenging and ridden along from 17th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 19, 7l behind Denman (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Roll Along (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Held up in touch, reminders after 9th, ridden approaching 6 out, soon lost place, 5th of 7, 42l behind Money Trix (11-10) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Not jump well, in touch, reminders after 10th, outpaced 15th, rallied 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 43l behind Killyglen (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
