in touch, ridden to press leader 2 out, not fluent last, driven and stayed on to lead final strides
held up, ridden 4th, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leader, ridden to lead before 2 out, joined last, driven and headed final strides
always in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2out
chased leaders, ridden to chase leader after 3 out until before 2 out, soon weakened
pulled hard led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on to go moderate 4th flat
always in rear
LUSH LIFE shows no signs of his progress stalling and so he is fancied to see off Cois Farraig and Zazamix. Nicky Henderson's son of Indian Danehill disposed of Menorah at Ascot last month, when he seemed to appreciate the drop in trip. Admittedly the runner-up (best price 12/1 for the Supreme Novices' next week) was poorly ridden, however the performance was still strong and he can defy a penalty. Also carrying extra weight is Zazamix who was a Bangor winner in December. His subsequent run behind Vino Griego was poor but that may have been down to the ground and the quicker going today should suit. Former point-to-point winner Cois Farraig has been highly-tried in three hurdles starts, but he deserves plenty of credit for his second to Oscar Whiskey here last month. His official rating of 124 looks about right and he is the biggest threat to the selection by some way. Paint The Clouds is closely-matched with him on a form line through Bellvano (trained by Nicky Henderson) and Warren Greatrex's runner seems to be getting the hang of things over timber. The two bumper runs of Prolinx suggest that he has a future and this son of Oscar needs a market check on his hurdling debut, whilst Pro Pell, Tafika and The Chazer have all shown some semblance of ability to date. Lush Life can win again in this interesting finale.
Lush Life (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, went 2nd last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb beating Menorah (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Zazamix (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Chased leader until soon after 3 out, weakened quickly before next, 11th of 14, well behind Vino Griego (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Alwaysonthemove 15-2 (11-4) Held up, headway over 2f out, challenged for well held 2nd and edged left briefly inside final furlong but winner gone, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Cashpoint (11-4) at Lingfield 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Cois Farraig 11-1 (11-2) Led, joined 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no chance with winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Oscar Whisky (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
General Simara 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed a long 6th, headway before next, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 9, 31l behind Come West (10-12) at Towcester 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Goring One (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, disputing modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 4th of 12, 35l behind Sarando (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Paint The Clouds 16-1 (11-2) Led, hit 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 12, 13l behind Bellvano (11-12) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Prolinx (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Always behind, struggling final 3f, 8th of 11, 24l behind Al Ferof (11-3) at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Pro Pell (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, took closer order 3rd, went right and mistake 3 out, soon lost place, kept on again flat, 4th of 11, 29l behind Oscar Whisky (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Tafika 66-1 (11-2) With leader, led approaching 2nd until before 4th, not fluent 6th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 8th of 13, 35l behind Rackham Lerouge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
The Chazer (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, in rear, took keen hold, 7th and no impression when hit rails on bend after 3 out, stayed on well approaching last, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 10l behind Rackham Lerouge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
