held up, slightly hampered after 15th, outpaced 5 out, soon beaten
held up, ridden 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
led and clear, blundered 7th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, steady headway 5 out, led on bit 3 out, ridden and 2 lengths clear last, hung left under pressure last, headed and no extra near finish
in touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, switched right approaching last, stayed on well under pressure to lead near finish
ran out in touch, mistake 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, 4th and no impression when ran out 2 out
behind, outpaced when mistake 19th, weakened and pulled up after 4 out
tracked clear leader until fell 12th
held up, outpaced 5 out, staying on well left moderate 3rd, no impression
held up, blundered and unseated rider 11th
jumped right throughout, in touch, left 2nd 12th, led 4 out, headed next, 18 lengths 3rd and beaten when fell last
mid-division, outpaced 17th, left poor 4th last, never dangerous
behind, outpaced when mistake 13th, lost touch and pulled up before 16th
Jass comes into this in good form having won his last two starts in good fashion but Keith Reveley's gelding has harshly been raised 13lbs for that success and preference is for RIMSKY, who gets the vote over Fair Question. Formerly with Venetia Williams but now trained by Don McCain, the 11-year-old was good value for his Bangor success last time and he has to be respected but a 9lb higher mark makes life tougher and he may have to settle for minor honours. Alan Parker's Merigo lost no caste in defeat behind Grizebeck at Ayr last time over hurdles and he has to be of interest back over fences today. Charlie Longsdon's Iwillrememberyou has been running consistently well but is not guaranteed to stay this far, while Morgan Be has more to do than when winning at Ayr last time off what seems too high a mark. Rimsky was well held at Cheltenham last time but Nigel Twiston-Davies has his string in much better form now and off a 2lb lower mark than when third in this event 12 months ago, the son of Silver Patriarch looks worth chancing.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, rallied when not fluent 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan beating Theatre Belle (10-11) by a shd, 11 ran.
Jass 6-1fav (10-9) Chased leaders, led after 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan beating Lyes Green (10-9) by 6l, 19 ran.
Natiain 4-5fav (12-5) Made all; held on wl flat, won at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Golden Oak (12-5) by 6l, 12 ran.
Morgan Be 9-4fav (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 5 out to chase leaders, half a length down in 3rd when left in lead after last, driven out, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan beating Royal Mackintosh (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Merigo (FR) 6-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, chased winner when hit 3 out, not fluent next, one pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Grizebeck (11-4) at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) sft.
Minster Shadow 14-1 (11-12) Chased leader, weakened approaching 5 out and pulled up 5 out in race won by Morgan Be (11-7) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Chabrimal Minster 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 15th, headed 5 out, still well there when fell 4 out in race won by Surface To Air (11-5) at Uttoxeter 4m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jun, 16 ran.
Fair Question (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, headed approaching 6th, chased leaders, hit 13th, led again 15th, clear approaching 2 out, won at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy beating Panama At Once (10-5) by 13l, 7 ran.
Rimsky (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th (water), mistakes 9th and 13th, struggling after 18th, well beaten 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind Rambling Minster (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Iwillrememberyou (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up behind, headway when hampered 12th, every chance 2 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Coe (11-9) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Pass Me By 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, hampered 4th, soon behind, weakened from 10th, 7th of 10, well behind Cloudy Lane (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Stagecoach Diamond 14-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway 15th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 19l behind Coe (11-9) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Toy Gun (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-11) Chased leader, led before last, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec beating Nelliedonethat (11-10) by 11l, 7 ran.
