tracked leaders, keen hold, led 4th, pushed along and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led 3out, ridden and headed before last, no extra
led until 4th, remained prominent, chased leaders 6th, soon under pressure and weakened
tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, jumped left 3 out, led soon after next, ran on well
held up in rear, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, weakened before 3out
Withdrawn
Mon Chevalier is weighted to close the gap on WISE MEN SAY this time but with Colin Tizzard's yard in fine form we'll stick with the last named in a race that will take little winning. Our selection scored last time in decisive fashion, in the process improving for the cheek-pieces that were fitted for the first time. That was his first win in five starts over the larger obstacles and the horse deserves credit for it as he was keen early on but still found plenty when asked to put the race to bed. He remains on a mark lower than he reached over hurdles and connections have found a nice race for the follow-up. Mon Chevalier struggled to go the pace of our pick last time before staying on for pressure to take a remote second. He's only up a pound for that but surely needs to be given a greater test of stamina before showing his best form and in this small field he may get outpaced once more, although second place does appear likely as the rest look modest. Best of them might be Quick Fix who should be suited by dropping back to the minimum having finished tamely over further last time. Tom George's animal won a hurdle contest over a furlong further than today's trip and must enter calculations in what isn't a strong race. He can get the better of Chilbury Hill who is well treated on the pick of his hurdle efforts but doesn't look set to reach that level over the larger obstacles. Prince De Lacour races from well out of the handicap and connections will struggle to find a race for him whilst This Way may need further than this and has it to prove on his chase debut. In a less than competitive contest, Wise Men Say gets the vote.
This Way (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Held up and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, 40l behind Sona Sasta (10-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Quick Fix (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked winner, hit 4 out, ridden after 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 19l behind Sir Ian (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Wise Men Say (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Led until 3rd, pressed leader, led approaching 4 out, ridden before 3 out, in command before last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Mon Chevalier (11-9) by 6l, 6 ran.
Chilbury Hill (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Intouch, jumped left 10th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Folie A Deux (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Prince De Lacour (FR) 9-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Littleton Aldor (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs, 8 ran.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leading trio, headway to 3rd 6th, mistake 4 out, driven to chase winner and hit 3 out, no impression and held before last, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Wise Men Say (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
