The two that we are going to focus on are Launde and Moor Spirit, with the vote going to Launde. Much as it was a weak race he won at Leicester last time, Launde strikes us as the type that will just keep on getting better over fences. He certainly has the size to do so and a mark of 115 for his handicap debut does not seem harsh. Moor Spirit was in the process of running a very good race at Leicester last time when taking a tumble and he too looks the type that can keep on progressing, provided that his jumping holds together. Turning to the others and the handicapper might have a grip on Alcopop now, The Miner holds a shout for a place, as do Lochiedubs and Jerom de Vindecy, while Native Eire has a 490-day absence to defy. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Launde.
Launde (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Led, hit 1st, headed approaching 4 out, led again after 3 out, clear last, eased flat, won at Leicester 2m mdn chs (4) sft in Feb beating Depth Perception (11-2) by 13l, 11 ran.
Moor Spirit 4-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, led 2 out, ridden and slight lead when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Executive Decision (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Alcopop 9-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Windsor Boy (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Darina's Boy 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 12, 30l behind Koumba (11-3) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Pams Oak 14-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, headway 4th, hit 7th, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Good Man Again (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (E) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
The Miner 7-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, chased leader approaching 4 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Alfy Rich (11-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Native Eire (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 11th, led 13th, left well clear last, easily, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gs in Oct '04 beating Ta Ta For Now (11-2) by 8l, 10 ran.
Lochiedubs 14-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, driven 7th, headway 11th, mistake 2 out, chased winner last, no extra and headed post, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Blunham Hill (10-7) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
Jerom de Vindecy (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, weakened from 11th, 4th of 8, well behind Jimmy Bond (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
