tended to jump right, tracked leading trio, went 3rd before 4 out, close up when ridden 2 out, chased winner last, no extra and outbattled flat
led and disputed, advantage from 11th, pushed along after 3 out, joined 2 out, outgamed runner up flat
keen hold, tracked leading pair, chased winner and challenged 12th, every chance 2 out, one pace last
led and disputed, headed 11th, dropped to 4th when unseated rider 4 out
FIVE DREAM is preferred to Overclear whilst Shanahan may win the race for third. Paul Nicholls has won the last two renewals of this race with odds-on shots but his runner this time around has something to find with his main rival on the figures. Five Dream ended up in the handicapper's grasp over hurdles and has failed to win since scoring on his first two chase starts but he's run plenty of solid races in defeat, including on his latest run at Ayr. This is his easiest task for some time and he's fancied to take advantage. Overclear has been highly tried since winning a handicap by a wide margin at Stratford in October and should also appreciate the opportunity to get back to winning ways in lesser company but he may just find that his opponent has too much speed for him over this trip although he is the clear pick at the weights. It's hard to enthuse about the remainder with Shanahan fancied to pick up some place prize money but the top prize can go to Five Dream.
Five Dream (FR) 7-1 (10-5) In touch, went 2nd after 9th, led after 3 out, soon driven, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Stormin Exit (10-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd.
Overclear 33-1 (11-4) Prominent, hit 4 out, soon lost place, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 10, 25l behind Tataniano (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd.
Shanahan (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, headway to modest 4th 4 out, 4th of 6, 36l behind Ray Mond (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Killing Me Softly 12-1 (10-9) Led, headed 14th, weakened approaching 3 out, left in remote 3rd, tailed off, 3rd of 8, well behind Ballygulleen (10-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Arthurs Dream (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 11, 34l behind Tiger O'toole (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Swainson (USA) 16-1 (11-0) In rear, went 3rd approaching 11th, no impression, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Midnight Chase (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Mar.
