tracked leaders, mistake 12th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on to lead narrowly 2 out, headed soon after last, stayed on same pace flat
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened quickly and well beaten when mistake last
held up in rear but well in touch, every chance and going well after 2 out, faded before next, virtually pulled up flat, finished distressed
This should be a very entertaining race, with several very capable chasers on display. Farmer Jack has taken to fences like a duck to water, and earns our vote. After finishing a promising fourth on his chasing bow in November, he went on to win his next three starts, most recently seeing off Epervier D'Or at Kempton. He ran well around Sandown's hurdle course last season and you wouldn't bet against him. Nevertheless, he faces stiff competition. Hand Inn Hand is bounding up the ratings for winning his last two starts, and is expected to go well. Meanwhile, Telemoss is unbeaten so far over fences, but this may be too much of a hike in grade for the nine-year-old. You can never rule out a Martin Pipe runner and Tarxien is his representative in this contest. He won his chasing debut at Cheltenham in good style and doubled up at Ascot, and easily doubled up in Grade 2 company at Ascot. Last time out he was just beaten a short head by Joss Naylor and Tony McCoy will be looking to make amends for that finish. Keen Leader is Jonjo O'Neill's runner. He has only had two starts over fences, falling on his debut but then winning last time at Cheltenham. He was a good Grade 2 winner over hurdles, but this race may come a shade too early for the seven-year-old. Ground Ball is the Irish Raider. He's been having a good novice season over fences, winning at Navan before finishing second to Tenpoundsworth in a Grade 3 race at Leopardstown last time. Mercato, who won some moderate hurdle races, has struggled since switching to chasing and is the clear outsider for the spoils.
