led, hit 3rd, stumbled on approach to 5th, headed 7th, soon dropped rear, weakened quickly, tailed off
always in touch, taken wide on approach to 7th, led approaching next, clear last, stayed on well
in touch, reminders after 7th, driven next, weakened approaching 2 out
pressed leader, led 7th, headed approaching next, ridden after 9th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression well before last
held up in last, not fluent 2nd, struggling to keep up after 6th, lost touch next, tailed off when mistake 8th
prominent, raced keenly, went 2nd 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
An interesting opener here where MON MOME gets the nomination now switched back to hurdles, while Kilbeggan Blade and Starburst Diamond are dangers. The Venetia Williams-trained selection is a thorough stayer who was last seen out in the Welsh National, a race in which he had been runner-up in 2006. He will need every yard of this three miles, but the stiff track can play into his hands and as a winner off this mark over fences he looks to have a fair bit in hand so we will side with him. Kilbeggan Blade also makes the switch back to hurdles after winning a marathon event at Sandown a few weeks ago. He also won here over course and distance in October and is well in with just a 4lb penalty compared to his chase mark so he is entitled to go very close under the champ. Starburst Diamond is another winner over the trip when taking a similar Bangor contest last spring and while he can make the frame he looks to have a bit to do to win at these weights. Picture In The Sky is lightly raced and open to further improvement but looks best watched for today and we'll take Mon Mome to score.
John Fenton (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Prominent until 6th, soon ridden along, lost touch from 11th, 6th of 11, 40l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Exeter 3m beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Kilbeggan Blade 6-1 (11-7) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, hard ridden to chase leaders before 2 out, driven to challenge last, led flat, driven and kept on gamely, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec beating L'aventure (10-2) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Starburst Diamond (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Prominent, ridden approaching 8th, driven in 5th when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 22l behind Star Lord (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Mon Mome (FR) 9-2fav (10-3) Mistake 2nd, headway 17th, no impression, 8th of 20, 17l behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Gouranga 7-1 (10-7) Held up, towards rear when fell at the 5th in race won by Storm Haven (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd, 7 ran.
Truckers Lady (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden 6th, modest 3rd when pulled up 4 out in race won by Huckleberry (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Ossie's Star 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader until 9f out, driven over 6f out, weakened 5f out, 10th of 15, 44l behind Silver Kate (10-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Sept.
Picture In The Sky (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 1st, ridden and one pace from 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Finney (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
