mistake 1st, with leader, led after 5th, mistake and headed 13th, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway to chase winner 5 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, headway to lead 13th, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat
held up, hit 5th, reminders 10th, chased leaders when hit 4 out and next, soon outpaced, no impression when mistake last
led to after 5th, with leader, mistake 12th (water), lost place 5 out, weakening when hit next, pulled up before last
in touch, lost place 9th, behind from 4 out
chased leaders to 6th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 10th
behind, mistake and weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
chasing leading pair when fell 10th
in rear, lost touch 9th, pulled up after next
A cracking line up for Wetherby's feature race of the day can be led home by Take The Stand, who had the measure of Grey Abbey and Joes Edge when they met here in the Charlie Hall Chase in November. A repeat dose of that performance would suffice today. Others that have to be respected include: My Will, who is a serious contender now that he has proved he has the stamina to stay three-miles-plus, while Therealbandit and Truckers Tavern have claims on the best of their form. The last named has been an in-and-out performer since he finished second to Best Mate in the 2003 Gold Cup. In fact, his only subsequent victory came in this race twelve months ago and, off only a 1lb higher mark, he should at least confirm the form with Malek. However, this is a much stronger line up and he needs to pull something out of the fire in this company. Therealbandit was no match for Grey Abbey in last season's Pillar Property Chase but has a theoretical chance of reversing the form on the revised terms. He has a legitimate excuse when hampered at Cheltenham last time and has each-way claims if the recent form of his stable's runners is overlooked on this occasion. New options opened up for My Will after his close up second in the Future Stars Chase at Sandown at the start of this month. Paul Nicholls excels with animals of his type and he may be worth a saver if his odds are not too restricting. Last season's Scottish National winner Joes Edge is a dour stayer that put in a more encouraging effort when fourth in a Listed race at Cheltenham seventeen days ago. However, he appears to need a marathon trip to be seen at his best these days and he may find things happening a little too quickly for him this afternoon. Especially if Grey Abbey runs his usual race from the front. Howard Johnson reports this course specialist to be in great heart as he nears the end of his racing career and he will raise the roof of the impressive grandstand if he manages to register his third course victory today. However, Take The Stand also has solid form to his name at the highest level and he is fancied to relish the drop back into a handicap this afternoon. Ground conditions are ideal for Peter Bowen's charge and the nine-year-old is fancied to be a tough nut to crack at a track that so obviously suits his style of running.
Grey Abbey (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked winner, driven and outpaced approaching 4 out, soon weakened, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ollie Magern (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct, 8 ran.
Take The Stand (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Held up, headway after 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 21l behind Kingscliff (11-8) at Haydock 3m chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Nov.
Therealbandit (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Led to 4th, stayed prominent, ridden when hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 18l behind Sir Oj (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs.
My Will (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leader to 4th, stayed prominent, went 2nd again 15th, blundered 18th, ridden last, rallied near finish but no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Lacdoudal (11-4) at Sandown 3m chs (B) sft.
Truckers Tavern (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Prominent, hit 6th, led approaching 8th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Valley Ride (11-11) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy.
Joes Edge (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, stayed on from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 11, 16l behind Royal Auclair (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gs.
Forest Gunner 9-1 (11-9) In touch, dropped rear 8th, soon weakened, tailled off and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Ossmoses (10-0) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs, 8 ran.
Baron Windrush 7-2fav (11-3) Held up, pushed along after 4th, headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 28l behind Forest Gunner (10-10) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Feb.
St Matthew (USA) 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, not fluent 12th and reminders, mistake 14th, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 9th of 19, well behind Trabolgan (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Nov.
Malek (IRE) 22-1 (10-3) Held up, headway after 4th, weakened after 3 out, took poor 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Captain Corelli (9-9) at Haydock 3m hcp chs (B) sft.
