tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, bumped 8th, ridden after 17th, soon beaten
led until 9th, prominent, led 15th, ridden and headed after 4 out, kept on but always held from next
prominent, led 9th until 15th, weakened 17th, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
close up, bad mistake 13th (water), soon lost touch, pulled up before 17th
close up, joined leader 15th, blundered badly 4 out, soon led, stayed on, ridden out
close up, lost touch quickly 13th, pulled up before next
Clyffe Hanger is of interest on his chase debut and despite being set a stiff enough task at the weights he is taken to win this from Maori Legend, Wotashambles and Tigu. The selection shoulders top weight on his chasing debut, but has won in bumpers and over hurdles at the first time of asking on each occasion. Bob Buckler does well here, the gelding handles cut, is lightly raced and open to improvement, and should be much better for his first run of the season, after which he has been given a nice recovery spell to ready him for this. Maori Legend won a soft ground Towcester chase last time and so has experience over fences. He also handles cut, but this is a much flatter track here and the race he won was nothing special so he looks opposable. Tigu ran with credit when last seen out in a novices' hurdle at Uttoxeter in November and looks the type to win a race or two over fences, so a win would not be a massive shock. Meanwhile Wotsashambles is the most experienced chaser here by far and comes from a yard going very well. Trip and ground suit but the handicapper may just have him at present and we are happy to side with Clyffe Hanger.
Clyffe Hanger (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Blundered 1st and 2nd, mid-division, ridden 6th, headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 16, 12l behind Saunders Road (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Wotashambles (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, went 3rd 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Alcatras (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Tigu (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 11th, chased winner after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Mortimers Cross (10-7) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Easter Present (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never on terms, 5th of 11, 14l behind Ferimon (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Maori Legend 5-1jt-fav (10-4) Mid-division, blundered 13th, stayed on well to lead last, ran on, won at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec beating Cockspur (11-0) by 3l, 13 ran.
Lyster (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) In rear, outpaced 4 out, no danger after, 5th of 11, 9l behind Roussea (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
