tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 16th, soon ridden, led again approaching 2 out, headed last, rallied near finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led 16th, hit 3 out, soon headed and ridden, rallied briefly run-in
led until 3rd, chased leader, driven along from 13th, lost touch after 4 out
held up, headway 15th, went 3rd and pecked badly 3 out, led last, driven out
fell 2nd
tracking leaders when brought down 2nd
Paul Nicholls always has to be respected at his local track and his runner Le Jaguar is given the nod ahead of Matt The Thrasher and Xellance. Le Jaguar is lightly raced this year and at seven years of age is still open to improvement. However he will not need to imrove much on the pick of last year's form to collect here. Matt The Thrasher landed a three runner contest over course and distance in great style, comfortably beating Treasulier. That was his third success in six outings and a big run can be expected again this afternoon. Xellance was out-classed behind Abragante last time out but has dropped to tempting mark and should be capable of making the frame. Red Echo is another to consider for the places, but we return to Le Jaguar for our selection.
Le Jaguar (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Prominent, chased leader 7th, ridden 15th, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 19l behind The Bandit (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Red Echo (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, struggling 19th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Naunton Brook (10-5) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Even More (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leader early, lost place 8th, soon no chance, 5th of 6, well behind The Bandit (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Held up and always going well, smooth headway to challenge approaching last, shaken up and pushed clear flat, won at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) frm in Apr beating Treasulier (10-7) by 2l, 3 ran.
Gumley Gale 7-1 (10-10) In rear, pushed along 6th, not fluent 9th, soon well behind, 6th of 7, 38l behind Mr Fluffy (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Aug.
Xellance (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Took keen hold tracking leaders, left 2nd at 8th, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 10, 15l behind Abragante (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Apr.