held up, closed 3 out, challenged going well next, led before last, not extended
took keen hold, led, hit 2 out, headed before last, stayed on flat, no impression on unextended winner
tracked leader, shaken up before 2 out, soon one pace and beaten, weakened last
jumped left and not that fluent in rear, losing touch from 11th, tailed off after 3 out, soon pulled up
BIG FELLA THANKS is gearing up for Aintree but is fancied to win for the first time in more than two years off the back of a terrific run in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham last time behind Annacotty. All of Neverownup's best form is on much quicker ground than this and he was beaten when unseating his rider last time at Bangor but Sweet My Lord has won a couple of times between the flags recently and should handle conditions. Garstin is also race-fit from point-to-points but might be out of his depth in this company, though does get 8lb from his three rivals.
Big Fella Thanks 25-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway on outside 4 out, led 2 out, went left last, 2 lengths ahead flat, headed close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Annacotty (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan.
Neverownup (IRE) 12-1 (12-1) Raced freely, led until 11th, weakened after 3 out, mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Teaforthree (12-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft, 10 ran.
Sweet My Lord (FR) 4-7 (12-3) Ap; led aft 15; pushed out, won at Western Hunt 3m ptp sft beating Swansbrook (12-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Garstin (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) In tch to 4 out, 4th of 14, 24l behind Blazing Whale (12-0) at South Pool Harriers 3m ptp sft.
