led, headed over 3f out, no chance with winner
raced in last, losing touch after 4f, tailed off 6f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, soon clear, canter
CHARBEL is impossible to oppose in this even though he’s having a prep race before Cheltenham, where he's entered in the Champion Chase and the Grand Annual, having proved himself a high-class novice over fences last season. Kim Bailey’s charge has only run twice this term and this is a huge drop in class. Tomngerry has already won two bumpers and two hurdle races but he is rated 18lb inferior to the likely favourite over fences. Back To Balloo can win the battle of the veterans with The Society Man for third place.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) In touch, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 13, 18 3/4l behind Castafiore (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
The Society Man (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Disputed 2nd to 6th, lost touch next, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 12th, at Market Rasen 3m (3) sft in Feb.
Tomngerry (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) With winner, ridden before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 5, 2l behind Blottos (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Charbel (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked clear leader, jumped slowly 4th and 5th, rallied 4 out, effort 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on well towards finish, 4th of 6, 5 1/2l behind Politologue (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
