This is a wide open handicap chase in which It Takes Time, Almost Broke, Noisetine and Kalca Mome are all shortlisted with the vote going to It Takes Time. The selection was very useful over hurdles and he will be suited by this drop in trip after disappointing when third behind Lord of Illusion over 3m2f at Cheltenham. He has won on testing ground like this and if he can translate his hurdling form to the bigger obstacles then he could take this before going onto bigger and better things. Almost Broke did not get home in the ground when down the field last time at Wincanton, but that won't be a problem over this trip and he is capable of making the frame. Noisetine finished behind Almost Broke a couple of runs ago but she won well last time at Doncaster when beating Gatorade. That form has since been let down by Gatorade and as Noisetine does look a touch exposed we are happy to take her on. Kalca Mome jumped poorly last time and will need to be more fluent here to get competitive, and for the winner we return to the progressive It Takes Time.
Avalanche (FR) 33-1 Mid-division, mistake 4th, lost touch 11th, tailed off next, 13th of 15, well behind Supreme Prince at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov.
It Takes Time (IRE) 8-1 Held up behind, headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Lord Of Illusion at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.
Kalca Mome (FR) 8-1 Held up in rear, mistake 3rd and 4th, soon lost place, weakened approaching 10th, 8th of 9, 27l behind Oneway at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs in Jan.
Royaleety (FR) 20-1 Held up, headway 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Olney Lad at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Jan.
Solarius (FR) won at Cagnes-Sur-mer 2m 3f hdl gd in Dec beating Kampala by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Liberthine (FR) 14-1 Held up, headway and close up from 7th, chased leaders to 4 out, 4th and weakening when blundered last, 8th of 16, 16l behind Buckby Lane at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Jan.
Noisetine (FR) 11-4fav Chase leaders, went 2nd at 9th, led 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, ease towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Jan beating Gatorade by 5l, 8 ran.
Almost Broke 9-4fav Held up last, mistake 10th, some headway 14th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 33l behind Bathwick Annie at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Jan.
Paxford Jack 22-1 In touch until weakened 12th, 5th of 10, 36l behind Kausse de Thaix at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft.
