mid-division, chasing leaders from 8th, mistake 11th, weakened approaching 14th, tailed off
held up towards rear, bumped 1st, headway 8th, ridden after 13th, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, no chance with winner
prominent, mistake 3rd, blundered 8th, weakened 12th, tailed off
led until mistake and pulled up before 12th
prominent, not fluent 5th or 10th, left chasing winner before 12th, weakened and lost 2nd when not fluent 3 out
held up towards rear, jumped right 1st, headway to chase leaders 12th, weakened after 14th
chased leader, left in lead 12th, drawing clear when mistake 3 out, stayed on well
towards rear, reminder afer 3rd, not fluent 5th, losing touch after 6th, behind when pulled up before 9th
in rear, mistake 3rd, jumped slowly next, mistake 9th, losing touch when mistake 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
A competitive opener in which top weight DREAM GARDEN can oblige backers, although the main dangers look to be Bundle Of Fun and Just Smudge. Chris Bealby's gelding is fairly unexposed compared with some of these, but has already won a couple of chases, and will be able to handle the cut in the ground. He'll run all day long, and there are no concerns over the trip either, despite having most to carry on his back. It's his handicap debut, and although there've been one or two question marks about his jumping, we think he's on an upwards curve with more improvement to come, and a second course victory well within his capabilities. Bundle of Fun comes over from Ireland for his debut run here. He's the only runner for John Murphy who had a few runners at Cheltenham, but they must think it's worth the while coming just for this race which could be the cause of some support. He's not shown a great deal to date back home, but his best effort was when placed last time out at Naas. He can handle soft ground, but this a step back up in trip for the bottom weight. Just Smudge was disappointing last time out at a higher grade and in testing conditions, but a drop in grade could see him win for the third time in four outings. Venetia Williams' string are in fine form, and boosted by her Cheltenham winners, she could be all smiles again here. Tony McCoy is an eye-catching booking for Nick Mitchell's Apatura Dik, and will no doubt get some support. Front-runners can do well here, and that's his style. Our selection though is Dream Garden.
Dream Garden 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 8th, challenged 4 out, ridden to lead next, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Skippers Brig (11-6) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Soon nudged along in rear, tailed off from 11th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Ping Pong Sivola (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Just Smudge 15-8fav (10-11) Chased leaders, stumbled badly 1st, dropped to rear, headway 5 out, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 39l behind The Vicar (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Apatura Dik 7-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed between last 2, no extra before last, 3rd of 14, 19l behind Russian Trigger (11-11) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
It's In The Stars 8-1 (11-0) Chased leader, ridden and weakened 11th, behind when pulled up in race won by Fair Point (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Silly Wupple 14-1 (11-9) Prominent, weakened approaching 5 out and pulled up 5 out in race won by Morgan Be (11-7) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Close up, went 2nd 12th, hit 17th and next and lost place, ridden approaching 3 out, plugged on, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Zacharova (11-4) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Kate's Gift 11-2 (11-10) Led to 3rd, remained in touch, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Montevideo (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Bundle Of Fun (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 7th and no impression 3 out, moderate 6th entering straight, 4th before last, stayed on to challenge last 50 yards, no extra close home, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Topofdemornintou (11-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 sft in Jan.
