close up, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace
mistakes in rear, bad mistake 7th, behind next, pulled up 4 out
tracked winner until 4th, tracked leaders until 4 out, soon beaten
jumped well, made all, pushed along 2 out, ridden and ran on
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4th until ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
General Medrano has never been this far over jumps with last month's two victories coming over much shorter and he's 9lb higher than his last winning mark. Hermino Aa developed into a useful novice hurdler last winter and made his chasing debut at Ascot earlier this month where he got no further than the first. Winning point-to-pointer and dual bumper winner Ree Okka was a beaten favourite in three of four starts over fences last winter though gave the suggestion there was more to offer. Winning bumper BRAVE KINGDOM's only defeat in three starts over timber came in a Grade 2 and though returning from almost two years off he looks the type to go on to better things. Martator, a dual winner over hurdles in France, ran over fences at Aintree last month but jumped poorly though his stable can do no wrong at present.
General Medrano (IRE) 8-11fav (12-0) In touch towards rear, good headway 2 out, every chance next, ridden to lead soon after, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating In The Air (11-10) by 3l, 6 ran.
Hermino AA (FR) 15-2 (11-10) Jinked left stumbled on landing and unseated rider 1st, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ree Okka 10-3 (11-8) Close up, pushed along after 4 out, soon ridden along, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind Monbeg Genius (11-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Brave Kingdom (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) Made all, hit 3 out, 2 lengths ahead last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec beating Ballyblack (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Martator (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, raced in last, not fluent 8th, hit 9th, weakening when blundered and almost unseated rider 2 out, faded, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Master Chewy (10-10) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
