raced wide, tracked leading pair, effort on outside to 2nd before 3 out, no chance with easy winner, lost 2nd post
held up last, headway to modest 3rd 2 out, never involved, went 2nd post
jumped boldly, led after 2nd, stayed on strongly from 3 out, easily
led until after 2nd, chased winner, hit 5th, mistake 7th (water), blundered 9th, lost 2nd and weakened before 3 out
chased leading trio, went 3rd 3 out until 2 out, weakened
REBEL REBELLION has been taking on much stiffer opposition since winning at Exeter in October. This looks a good opportunity for Paul Nicholls' gelding to get back on track. Ciceron had become expensive to follow over fences prior to winning at Bangor last month but that victory should have given his confidence a boost and he can chase the favourite home as Fairy Rath has been well beaten in a couple of handicaps since winning at Wincanton in the autumn and needs further. Useful hurdler Rajamand tackles fences for the first time while the mare Synthe Davis looks out of her depth.
Ciceron (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led going well when left 5 lengths clear 2 out, driven out flat, won at Bangor 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Feb beating Stagecoach Jasper (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fairy Rath (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 27l behind The Black Baron (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) With leaders, led narrowly 4th to 8th, in touch, chased winner briefly after 3 out, one pace when left 3rd next, no impression before last, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Super Duty (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Rajamand (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Led, headed after 3 out, soon lost place, 10th of 12, 48l behind Petit Robin (11-5) at Sandown 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Synthe Davis (FR) 100-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 14, 23l behind Fair Trade (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
