chased leaders, driven along approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up, headway to track leaders from 6th, tracked clear leader 10th, closing on outer, 1 length down and travelling strongly when brought down 2 out
chased leader, ridden along 6th, soon struggling, well behind when pulled up before 12th
not fluent 1st, held up in rear, steady headway to track leading pair soon after 4 out, challenging and travelling strongly when led 2 out, soon clear
chased clear leader to 10th, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
jumped left, led and soon clear, reduced lead approaching 3 out, jumped badly left and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 6th, jumped slowly 13th, plugged on at one pace from 4 out
Mr Boo gets the confident vote here with Saddlers Cloth and Lubinas rating the main dangers. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating Appach last time out . Granted he is rising in the weights but he looks a progressive type and he is taken to defy the handicapper under conditions that suit. Saddlers Cloth rates the main danger as he won unchallenged when beating Missy. However this looks more competitive and he will need to improve again to win off this higher mark. Lubinas also won well last time when beating Dere Lyn but he is best when given an easy lead and as that does not look likely he looks worth taking on. Of the remainder, Harris Bay remains on a fair mark but disappointed for no apparent reason last time so he can not be put forward with any confidence and for the winner we return to Mr Boo.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader to 5th, stayed prominent, jumped slowly 12th, weakened after 4 out, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Taranis (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (3) gd, 7 ran.
Mr Boo (IRE) 1-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders and always going well, not fluent 6th, led and mistake 2 out, ran on readily, won at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (4) gs beating Appach (11-0) by 19l, 6 ran.
Lord Rodney (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Held up behind, blundered 1st, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 14, 12l behind Mon Mome (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gs.
Harris Bay 9-2 (11-8) Held up and raced wide, mistake 1st, weakened approaching 5 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Stavordale Lad (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Saddlers Cloth (IRE) 15-8fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, led 4th to 8th, led 10th, drew well clear from 3 out, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m 4f mdn chs (5) gs beating Missyl (11-0) by 20l, 8 ran.
Lubinas (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Always prominent, led 3rd, headed 4th, stayed chasing leader, ridden to lead 2 out, driven clear after last, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Dere Lyn (10-4) by 6l, 14 ran.
Kyper Disco (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leader, chased winner 10th until 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 47l behind Magico (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd in Feb.
