held up in touch, driven 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from next
close up and inside, effort 3 out, one pace approaching last
held up, headway 10th, ridden to lead last, held on under pressure flat
in touch, outpaced 4 out, kept on from next
always prominent, effort and every chance 2 out, soon outpaced, 3rd and no impression when mistake last
jumped left, tracked leaders, outpaced when stumbled 3 out, soon pulled up
led, ridden and headed last, stayed on under pressure flat
held up, struggling 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before last
Fiftyfive Degrees was good value for his success at Newcastle under testing ground earlier this month and he has to be respected but a 9lb rise for that Newcastle success makes life tougher for the son of Presenting and a better handicapped horse looks to be BANOGE, who gets the vote with Pacco rated the pick of the remainder. The selection made a winning start to his chasing career when landing a maiden chase at Sedgefield on his chasing debut and followed up that success when successful here over two miles in a novices' chase last time. Well treated on hurdles form, Len Lungo's gelding looks to be the one they all have to beat. Bougoure is hard to recommend on recent form but Sue Smith does have her team in good form and he has slipped to a fair mark so he cannot be discounted. Richard Lee's Mister Potter has shown improved form in recent starts and has to be considered but he may struggle to give weight away all round, while Micky Hammond's La Pantera Rosa has more to do than when successful in a beginners' chase here last time. Oliver Sherwood's Pacco is going the right way over fences now and was good value for his win at Towcester last time but a 6lb rise for that success makes this tougher and a better bet looks to be the well treated Banoge.
Mister Potter 9-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 7th, led 4 out, ridden and one pace when headed last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Osako D'airy (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb.
Banoge (IRE) 2-1fav (10-9) Close up, led 3 out, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m nov chs (4) hvy beating Et Maintenant (10-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Storymaker 11-2 (10-12) In touch, effort 3 out, driven and weakened from next, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Psychomodo (11-4) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Pacco (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Held up, closed 7th, 2nd 4 out, led after 3 out, stayed on well flat, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Pipo De Re (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bougoure (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 7, 22l behind Wot Way Chief (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Fiftyfive Degrees (IRE) 6-5fav (10-9) Prominent, led 14th, clear from 2 out, won at Newcastle 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs beating Boris The Blade (11-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Teenando (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Led to 3rd, weakened approaching 4 out, last of 5, 20l behind Banoge (10-9) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (4) hvy.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 5f beg chs (4) hvy beating Checkerboard (11-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
