led, blundered 13th, headed approaching last, beaten when pulled up soon after, lame
tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led going well approaching last, soon left clear
tracked leader until 7th, no chance from 13th, left poor 2nd last
chased leaders, mistake 6th, jumped right 8th, not fluent 9th, no chance after 11th, left poor 3rd last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Good recent form is in short supply among the six runners here but we expect WHAT A FRIEND to snatch the victory ahead of Cheating Chance and Hold Em. Paul Nicholls' gelding who was a winner at Cheltenham back in December, was a little disappointing when coming in sixth in the RSA Chase last time. That was a tougher test than he comes up against today though and the six-year-old clearly has tonnes of ability. He has won four of his eight career starts and only placed outside the money once. Cheating Chance will be well suited by the sound surface here and under the ride of champion jockey Tony McCoy is expected to at least make the frame here. The gelding fell at Aintree last time. He was up with the leaders before falling so provided he is none the worse, on this evidence he is one to watch out for. Hold Em has some very useful form to his name but has failed to finish his last two races. He was pulled up last time and fell the time before that but as long as confidence is not affected he can pose a serious threat to the selection here. As is the norm with races such as this a market check is advised but we can look no further than What A Friend.
Cheating Chance (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 13th, disputing close 2nd when fell 15th, in a race won by Killyglen (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd, 9 ran.
What A Friend 13-2 (11-4) Held up mid-division, nudged along 11th, ridden in 4th after 15th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 31l behind Cooldine (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Badger 14-1 (11-5) Prominent, reminders 6th, lost place 8th, soon well behind, 11th of 14, well behind Polar Gale (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Fal Agh Bagh (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, lost place 5th, well behind 8th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Key Cutter (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Hold Em (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Hit 10th, always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Cooldine (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Back Among Friends 4-1 (11-0) Led, headed 4 out, weakened from last, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Razor Royale (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f beg chase (4) gs in Feb.
