blundered 3rd, reminders after 7th, always behind, pulled up before 9th
chased leaders, mistake 10th, ridden after next, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders until 11th, soon behind, held off and pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders until lost place 10th, ridden and headway 12th, challenging when fell 3 out
held up, headway 12th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, left poor 4th 3 out, challenging for 3rd when fell last
held up in touch, hit 12th, soon ridden, no chance from 4 out, left poor 3rd 3 out
jumped right, made all, left clear 3 out
chased winner, hit 4th, ridden after 11th, kept on same pace from 4 out, left 2nd 3 out
held up, mistakes 5th, 6th and 9th, tailed off 4 out, went poor 3rd flat
If Never So Blue takes his chance after his fall on Tuesday then he should be winning assuming his confidence is intact, however we will take the safe route and nominate Sir Laughalot to win. Emma Lavelle's gelding was also a faller when last seen but the eight-year-old looked to have every chance when departing. He has only had a couple of outings over fences but he looks to have a future and can get off the mark today. Rusty Red is fairly consistent and much be watched in the market on this first British start, whilst Boyastara was unfancied last time out when unseating his rider behind Never So Blue and needs to be watched at present. Even More is a relentless galloper from the front and this course and distance winner should not be written off despite his advancing years, whilst Forest Miller and Tradingup both have ability but need to bounce back to form. At a price Triggernometry could go well with the blinkers tried for the first time, however in an interesting heat it is Sir Laughalot who gets the nod.
Sir Laughalot 14-1 (10-11) Held up towards rer, headway 4 out, soon chasing winner and fell 2 out in race won by Jonny's Kick (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Triggernometry 3-1fav (11-11) Prominent, mistake 10th and lost place, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lidjo De Rouge (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Sha Bihan (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Towards rear, reminder 2nd, ridden 13th, weakened next, 4th of 9, 35l behind Lidjo De Rouge (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Never So Blue (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) With leader, led 4th, going well when fell in race won by Nirvana Swing (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 5 ran.
Rusty Red (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up, progress into 6th 5 out, 4th 3 out, ridden and no impression, 4th of 15, 20l behind Well Run (10-9) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan.
Boyastara (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, hampered 7th, badly hampered and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Never So Blue (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Even More (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 13th, headed approaching 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Never So Blue (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Forest Miller 12-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden and weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Chopneyev (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Deep Pockets (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Towards rear, jumped right 5th, ridden 7th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Arnold Layne (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Tradingup (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Struggling 5th, soon behind and pulled up in race won by Alcatras (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
