held up, headway 9th, led approaching 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
behind, blundered 5th, slow jump when tailed off 3 out
blundered 1st, not jump well, blundered again 9th, lost touch, pulled up before next
held up mid-division, mistake 6th, behind 9th, soon lost touch
always in rear, ridden 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
in touch, ridden and weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up before last
led to approaching 4 out, soon weakened
chased leader until weakened approaching 4 out
behind when fell 1st
always prominent, pushed along 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, ridden last, no impression
This is a good class event that should fall to the top-weight Red Devil Robert, Hazeljack and King's Bounty could provide most danger. The selection hails from the powerful Paul Nichol's yard and comes here a relatively fresh horse. He returned from a break to easily beat Moscow Whisper at Taunton last time and with further improvement almost guaranteed he looks the one to beat. Hazeljack is enjoying a successful campaign and returned to the winners enclosure earlier this month when comfortably beating some modest rivals. This is a stronger test but he does get in with a nice racing weight and will be difficult to keep out of the frame. King's Bounty also hit winning form last time out, beating Jordan's Ridge at Kelso. The extra distance today shouldn't be a problem and he should have a say in the outcome. Best of the remainder could be Paxford Jack, but our idea of the winner is Red Devil Robert, who can kickstart Cheltenham week for the Nicholl's yard
Red Devil Robert (IRE) 10-11fav In touch, headway 11th, narrow leader 12th, clear approaching 3 out, ridden out, won at Taunton 3m beg chs (E) gs beating Moscow Whisper by 8l, 12 ran.
Levallois (IRE) 5-1 Held up, driven along 13th, jumped slowly 14th and 15th, soon tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Auburn Spirit at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (C) hvy in Feb.
Rudolf Rassendyll (IRE) 8-1 In touch, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance when jumped slowly 2 out, went 2nd last, one pace after, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Hazeljack at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft.
King's Bounty 11-2 Tracked leaders, led 10th, ridden approaching last, headed briefly flat, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Feb beating Jordan's Ridge by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Barren Lands 7-1 Held up in touch, led 11th, ridden 12th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 5, 12l behind Tanterari at Taunton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Our Jolly Swagman 11-1 Prominent, hit 15th, weakened quickly 5 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Earl's Kitchen at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Paxford Jack 20-1 Prominent, led after 8th, headed 5 out, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 3rd of 10, well behind Almost Broke at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Feb.
Hazeljack 7-2 Prominent, led 10th to 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft beating Rudolf Rassendyll by 5l, 7 ran.
Menphis Beury (FR) 11-2 In touch, chased leaders from 12th, went 2nd after 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, mistake and headed next, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Gray's Eulogy at Sandown 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Strong Magic (IRE) 25-1 Mid-division until weakened 13th, 5th of 10, 34l behind Indalo at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Feb.
