tracked leader until weakened approaching 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, hit 3rd and 6th, chased leaders approaching 13th, weakened after 2 out
held up, chased leaders 8th, ridden and in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened from 14th
held up towards rear, headway 14th, pushed along approaching 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well
tracked leaders, hit 6th, pushed along and behind from after 8th, pulled up before 14th
held up mid-division, hit 7th, pushed along 10th, soon struggling
in touch, hit 5th, ridden 11th, struggling from next
led, hit 14th, headed approaching last, no extra
Three of the runners here have won over distance in the past but the with very little in the way of good form to choose from we side with VAN NESS who looks to have the edge over Proud Andees and Lawyer Des Ormeaux. Our selection was up with the pace all the way last time out finishing second in a race where his jumping was a little untidy. The gelding returned to win a decent point-to-point at Thorpe Lodge in January following a lengthy absence and is ever improving so looks best here. Proud Andees fell last time out on his return from a long spell on the sidelines. He did win his last race before that break, that was back in May and it looked unlikely that it would be his last win he¿ll do well in poor company here and will appreciate the run. Veteran Lawyer Des Ormeaux is another who returns after a 10 month break and will be making the most of this run. None of the rest appeal and in what should be a three horse race we side with Van Ness for victory.
The Bandit (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) (cp) led to 2; 3rd when fell in race won by Croix De Guerre (11-0) at Cothelstone 3m ptp gd, 11 ran.
Twenty Degrees 17-2 (12-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 11th, 5th of 12, 35l behind Nobody Tells Me (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
Howard Howard 11-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 8th, headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 5l behind Coolefind (12-0) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) gs.
Lawyer Des Ormeaux (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until 13th, soon ridden, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 8, 19l behind Radnor Lad (11-4) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Proud Andees (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Mostly towards rear until fell 4 out in race won by Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs, 24 ran.
Gabor 11-1 (12-5) Prom til wknd 13; pulled up in race won by Johnny Venture (12-0) at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp gd in Feb, 16 ran.
Good Man Again (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden after 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 7, 35l behind Lough Rynn (10-4) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 16-1 (10-0) With leader until ridden and mistake 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 13, well behind Harlov (10-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp hts chs (3) gd in May.
Van Ness (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leader, hit 2nd, led 8th, hit 18th, headed 4 out, stayed challenging, hit 2 out, every chace last, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind The Big Breakfast (11-3) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd.
The Local 12-1 (11-12) Led, hit 2nd, headed 3rd, soon pushed along, weakened from 5 out, 10th of 13, well behind Mcevoy (12-6) at Leicester 2m hts chs (6) gs.
