Jacarado gets the call here ahead of Rosetown and Algarve. The selection is a big horse and probably a late developer. Much as he is closely-weighted with Rosetown based on their Ludlow meeting earlier in the season, he might have the greater scope for improvement over fences, although Rosetown is not ruled out of a good showing. Even though he has not yet built on the run, Algarve would hold a chance based on his Hexham run of last November. Best of the others could prove to be Arctic Lagoon, who is now only four pounds above his winning Hexham mark from last May, although that did come on good to firm going. Finally, Pip Moss has hinted at ability and, much as he has failed to win in 19 attempts, Wild About Harry now races off a career-low mark and can be given some hope based on his best efforts. Overall, though, we are happy to side with Jacarado.
Dante's Back (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, hit 3rd and lost place, blundered 7th, behind from 9th, 7th of 14, 19l behind Baron Blitzkrieg (10-1) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Algarve 7-2 (10-8) Chased leader, pecked 10th, jumped left 12th, weakened from 14th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Brandy Wine (11-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Rosetown (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, chased leading pair to 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 7l behind Joseph Beuys (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Jacarado (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In touch, led 14th, edged left approaching last, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-88 (5) sft in Feb beating Zimbabwe (11-8) by 2l, 14 ran.
Arctic Lagoon (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, blundered 8th, soon lost place, 6th of 15, 46l behind Mr Prickle (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Trovaio (IRE) 66-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, lost place 9th, behind from 5 out, 10th of 14, well behind Red Perk (10-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Lambrini Bianco (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 4 out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 22l behind Boardroom Dancer (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m amt hcp chs (5) gd in Feb.
Wild About Harry 10-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, close up halfway, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 7, 29l behind Farington Lodge (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Pip Moss 11-1 (10-5) In touch, mistake 10th and 12th, struggling next, tailed off, 9th of 10, 41l behind Joseph Beuys (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
