led until badly hampered by loose horse and unseated rider 7th
mid-division, fell 4th
always prominent, left 2nd 7th, led 10th, drew clear after 3 out, unchallenged
held up, 3rd when mistake 10th, well behind 13th, stayed on to go remote 2nd 2 out, lost 2nd flat
prominent, reminders after 10th, behind from 13th
chased leader, mistake 4th, left in lead 7th, reminders after 9th, headed next weakening when mistake 3 out, lost 2nd next
held up, pecked 11th, well behind 13th, mistake 2 out, stayed on to take poor 2nd flat
jumped slowly, behind until hampered and unseated rider 4th
No prizes for originality here but the selection has to be Lancastrian Jet, who is thriving in this sphere at the moment and can add to his impressive CV, while Mickthecutaway and Quetal could be the ones to follow him home. Henry Daly's charge has racked up wins at Hereford and Market Rasen, with a course and distance success here sandwiched in between and is in great heart despite his advancing years. A sound jumper, he also handles this ground, though he probably would prefer it to dry out a little to be at his best, but in a race where nothing else in in anything like his form, he is the one to be on. Mickthecutaway would have a chance on his best form. He won on soft ground at Bangor from a mark of 120 a couple of seasons ago, but has not been seen over regulation fences for 12 months. In receipt of 8lb from Lancastrian Jet he can go very well but will have his work cut out to win. Quetal looked decent when taking a soft ground Newbury hunter chase last year, but has not had his ground since then. Back here with some cut he should be a different proposition and he too can claim a place, but for the winner we will side with Lancastrian Jet to complete a four-timer.
