Bellaney Jewel, Farington Lodge and Best China form the shortlist for this handicap chase and the vote is given to Bellaney Jewell. The selection won impressively at Carlisle on soft ground last time when beating Elvis Returns. She is lightly-raced and looks progressive and with the useful Stephen Craine in the plate she should take plenty of beating. Farington Lodge rates the main as he looked the likely winner over this course and distance when he fell two out. If his confidence has not been affected by that fall then he should be thereabouts at the finish. Best China has yet to win under Rules but he put up a decent effort at Ayr last time when he finished second behind Almire Du Lia. He is a proven stayer but the suspicion is that he is better over a longer trip and for that reason we will take him on. Move Over and Algarve are both from yards that have to be respected so a market move for either should be noted. However, for the winner we will return to Bellaney Jewell.
Move Over (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) Led 1st, headed 8th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Bellaney Jewel (10-0) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) hvy, 7 ran.
Bellaney Jewel (IRE) 10-3 (10-0) In touch, headway to lead 8th, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) hvy beating Elvis Returns (11-5) by 16l, 7 ran.
Farington Lodge (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Led, driven 4 out, clear when fell 3 out in race won by Lazy But Lively (10-0) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy, 4 ran.
Algarve 7-2 (10-8) Chased leader, pecked 10th, jumped left 12th, weakened from 14th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Brandy Wine (11-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Best China (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Held up, blundered 13th, headway 15th, ridden and every chance when not fluent 3 out, one pace from next, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Almire Du Lia (11-0) at Ayr 3m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Behavingbadly (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Skenfrith (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Secret Drinker (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Led to 11th, soon lost place, behind when blundered 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Red Perk (10-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Red Alert Man (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) With leader, led 1st, ridden approaching 2 out, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Parkinson (10-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-88 (5) hvy.
