tracked leader, ridden, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, lost touch 7th
held up, ridden, jumped right 7th, plugged on to take 2nd last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, keen, hit 3rd, led 4 out, not fluent next (water), ridden out
led, headed 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out
Il Penseroso is the pick over the likes of Positano, Jarro and Master T. Il Penseroso has really caught the winning bug this season, scoring on each of his last three outings, at Market Rasen, Perth and Stratford. Alison Thorpe's charge has won with a great deal of authority on each occasion, defying a 17lb rise in total. He now lines up off 101, a further 8lb hike in the ratings, but such has been his progression, that he can make a bold bid here to shrug off the burden. Positano has no experience over fences and was plating-class over timber anyway, while Jarro can surely not give a stone to the in-form selection. Master T has gone totally off the boil lately, and the remaining pair have absences to overcome. Quite simply, Il Penseroso has lots going for him here and can fool the handicapper again.
Jarro (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 21l behind Scalloway (11-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Master T (USA) 16-1 (11-4) Hit 4th, always behind, 9th of 13, 35l behind Tevere (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
Theocritus (GER) 33-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, eased when beaten approaching last, 12th of 15, 27l behind Pirate Flagship (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Il Penseroso (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Took keen hold, held up, not fluent 8th, headway 9th, led when left clear 2 out, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Saby (11-5) by 7l, 8 ran.
James Victor (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway 11th and not fluent, ridden and challenged 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 6, 11l behind Breaking Breeze (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) frm in Oct.
Positano (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (11-3) Chased leaders, led 5th, ridden clear and edged right approaching last, ran on, won at Worcester 2m sll hcp hdl (5) gf beating Silver Island (10-9) by 14l, 16 ran.
