chased leaders, reminders and lost place after 8th, soon sturggling, behind from 5 out
held up, headway at 5 out, went 2nd next, rallied and upsides last, ridden and stayed on flat, just held
chased leaders, lost place 5 out, weakened and pulled up after next
led 2nd to 5th, with winner led again 9th to next ridden 5 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway on outside 11, ridden and effort 4 out, kept on same pace from next
held up behind, reminder 8th, soon struggling, lost touch 5 out, pulled up before next
mid division, headway to lead 5th, headed 9th, led again next, hard pressed last, ridden and stayed on gamely flat
mid-division, headway 5 out, effor twhen hit next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with leading pair
led to 2nd, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
ETXALAR is preferred over Just For Men and Deuteronomy. The selection has made a good start to his chasing career and he posted a good effort to chase home Skippers Brig at Ayr last month. He looks a useful prospect and he will go on the ground and off his current mark he could be one to stay on the right side of. Just For Men chased home Dawn Ride at Wetherby back in November but he is still some way above his last winning mark and it will be a surprise if he is good enough to get the better of our selection. Deuteronomy is a course and distance winner but his strike-rate over fences leaves a little to be desired and the percentage call is to take him on. Jack The Blaster has not been seen out since April so he is likely to need this before he is able to show his best form. Etxalar makes most appeal here and he gets the vote.
Nirvana Swing (FR) 10-3 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened 14th, last of 5, 33l behind Money Trix (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (2) sft in Dec.
Jack The Blaster 14-1 (11-6) Held up behind, steady headway 4 out, effort when jumped left 2 out, ridden and hung left under pressure flat, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Native Coral (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Etxalar (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Led, stumbled badly and headed 6 out, regained lead and blundered approaching 3 out, headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Skippers Brig (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Daldini 25-1 (11-6) In touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 17, 14l behind Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.
Corlande (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 3rd (chair), in a race won by Dev (10-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Just For Men (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd and going well approaching 4 out, led after 3 out, challenged and blundered 2 out, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Dawn Ride (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Nouveau Maire (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 12th and pulled up, in a race won by Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Stormin Exit (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed when jumped left 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 27l behind Chicago Grey (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Ocarina (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 20l behind Berwick Law (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Deuteronomy (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led 5th to 9th, lost place 4 out, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Toulouse Express (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
