made all, 2 lengths ahead and staying on when left well clear last
always behind, lost touch from 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
pecked 1st, chased leaders, jumped slowly 12th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, left 3rd last
chased leaders, ridden and struggling from 14th, tailed off
chased leaders until blundered and lost place 11th, soon behind
held up, headway to chase leaders from 8th, chased winner before 2 out, 2 lengths down and staying on same pace when mistake and unseated rider last
in touch, mistake 5th, dropped to last 9th, hit next and lost touch, tailed off and pulled up approaching 16th
chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, lost 2nd before next, left poor 2nd last
BANNISTER LANE looks the obvious selection here, with Triggernometry, Mr Big and Sir Brastias looking like closest contenders in this tricky chase. The selection's best form has all been on soft ground, he is best when able to dominate and he represents the in-form McCain stable. At todays weights he looks to have an outstanding chance and is taken to score. Triggernometry likes cut in the ground and has been dropped 2lbs since his latest start. Even so he has yet to prove that he truly stays three miles and we will take him on today. Charlie Mann has his runners in good form and Mr Big tries to complete a hat-trick for him today. The eight-year-old has a good strike rate over fences including wins on his last two starts. He should be suited by trip and ground today and may pose the biggest challenge to the selection. Sir Brastias would have a decent chance if able to recapture his best form, but has a bit to prove after losing his action when last seen out at Huntingdon. First time cheek pieces may be able to galvanise The Big Breakfast to an improved effort, but we think this will go to Bannister Lane.
Bannister Lane 15-2 (11-12) Led to 7th, led again approaching 9th, headed approaching 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Coe (11-9) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Cruising River (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden 11th, lost place next and pulled up 4 out in race won by Maori Legend (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Mr Big (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Held up, headway 6th, blundered 7th, ridden and dropped to modest 7th before 3 out, rallied approaching 2 out, led before last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Honour's Dream (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 10.
Triggernometry 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 12th, stayed on from 3 out, went distant 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Le Burf (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Sir Brastias 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division when lost action and pulled up 4 out in race won by Lady Pilot (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec, 18 ran.
Heart Springs 33-1 (10-10) Towards rear, hit 9th and lost place, soon behind, 5th of 12, well behind Alcatras (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Saddlers Blaze (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders in 4th until reminders 6th, dropped to last at 8th, eased after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Fix The Rib (11-0) at Folkestone 2m mdn chs (4) gd in Jan, 7 ran.
The Big Breakfast (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, hit 11th, weakened before 3 out, lost moderate 3rd before 2 out, 4th of 8, well behind Ofarel D'airy (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft.
