reluctant to race, behind, blundered 4th, recovered and just in touch 11th, blundered and weakened 13th
held up in touch, chased winner 4 out, no impression when pecked 2 out, lost modest 2nd flat
close up, ridden approaching 12th, went 2nd and mistake 15th, lost 2nd 4 out, rallied to regain moderate 2nd flat, no impression
led, headed 12th, chased winner until weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, effort 13th, blundered and weakened 16th
jumped well, pressed leader, led 12th, made rest, drew well clear from 2 out, easily
chased leading pair, hit 3rd, mistake 8th, not fluent 11th, mistake and weakened 3 out
behind, mistake 6th, tailed off 12th, blundered 4 out
The one that stands out here is Moor Lane, with his biggest danger being Tales Of Bounty, with Lord Kilpatrick and Starring Again looking best of the rest. The highest rated of these entries, Moor Lane, who won the Great Yorkshire Chase in 2002, will have been primed for this contest and, as such, gets a fairly strong vote. He can also call upon the services of Dominic Alers-Hankey, which is an additional bonus. Last year's winner of this race, Tales Of Bounty, who is useful in this sphere, has also to be seriously considered while winning pointer, Lord Kilpatrick, and Starting Again, who has fair form under Rules, look best of the others. Once again, though, the vote goes to Moor Lane.
Althrey Dandy (IRE) 10-1 Tracked leader, led 13th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m hts chs (H) gd in May beating Thyne Man by 4l, 11 ran.
Tales of Bounty (IRE) 4-6fav 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Act In Time at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Indien du Boulay (FR) 6-1 2nd of 7, 6l behind Carnacrack at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Lord Kilpatrick (IRE) 3-1 2nd of 12, 2l behind Martha's Boy at Higham 3m ptp gd in Feb '04.
Midnight Lord (IRE) 3-1 3rd of 13, 20l behind It'sallinthestars at Charing 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Moor Lane 4-1 Led, headed 12th, mistake 15th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, rallied and stayed on flat, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Balinova at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (H) sft in Feb.
River Quoile 40-1 Always behind, mistake 15th, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 9, 45l behind Whitenzo at Sandown 3m chs (E) gd in Feb.
Starting Again 33-1 5th of 9, well behind Act In Time at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Feb.
