held up towards rear, ridden and some headway 11th, weakened after 13th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden in 5th when fell 4 out
mid-division until weakened quickly after 8th, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway after 10th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, blundered badly 10th, immediately pulled up after
mid-division, headway 6th, went 2nd after 10th, ridden to lead after 4 out, headed and mistake 2 out, no extra
lost touch from 9th, held off
chased leader, mistake 6th, ridden after 10th, weakened after 13th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 12th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
mid-division, hit 6th, blundered 8th, ridden after 13th, weakening when went left 3 out
held up towards rear, steady progress from 10th, led soon after 3 out, ran on well
led, driven along approaching 10th, headed after 4 out, kept on under pressure
Reach For The Top looks the top choice here with Mambo des Mottes and Neysauteur others on the shortlist. The selection won well last time out and he looks to be on the upgrade at present. This quicker ground will suit and he looks the type that is worth staying on the right side of. Mambo des Mottes was disappointing and had no excuses last time so although he could be fancied on his previous form, that latest run will have to be forgiven by his supporters today. Neysauteur has been running well and was not beaten all that far by Parkinson last time, but the handicapper has punished him for his consistency and he may need to drop a few pounds before he is able to resume winning ways. Hawks Landing is better than he has been showing of late and he is worth noting in ther market, but for the winner we will stick with Reach For The Top.
Reach For The Top (IRE) 4-7fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon in command and edged right, clear last, won at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan beating Le Rochelais (11-4) by 14l, 9 ran.
Toulouse (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up, chased winner from 4th until 7th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Cheeky Lad (9-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Sept, 5 ran.
Duncliffe 25-1 (11-9) Close up, blundered 2nd, ridden 10th, soon struggling, 8th of 12, 44l behind Idole First (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
College Ace (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, joined leader 11th until 14th, weakening when hit 16th, behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Jaunty Times (11-8) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Neysauteur (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, led 3 out, headed, flat, no extra, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Parkinson (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Mambo des Mottes (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Led until 5th, chased winner, led 4 out until next, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 19l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Hawk's Landing (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 30l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Bob The Builder 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place from 9th, tailed off, 15th of 20, well behind I Hear Thunder (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Dauphin Des Carres (FR) (10-8) behind Loup Brave (10-12) at Cagnes-Sur-mer 2m 7f chs Grd 3 (1) in Jan, 10 ran.
Free Gift 12-1 (11-7) Led until after 7th, chased leader, ridden after 13th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 10, 31l behind Abragante (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Marked Man (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division when brought down at the 7th in race won by Le Rochelais (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 4-5fav (10-10) Held up, headway 11th, disputed 2nd 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Sha Bihan (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Sky Warrior (FR) 15-2 (11-5) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 18l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-6) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
