tracked leaders, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
always towards rear, lost place when hit 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, headed after 4th, led again 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on from last
always behind, lost pace 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden when disputed 2nd, fell 3 out
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on well
tracked leader, headway approaching 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra towards finish
held up, lost place 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on from next
Sue Smith's Oso Magic is best in at the weights judged by official BHB ratings but the form of his course and distance maiden chase success does not amount to much and preference is for L'Oiseau, who gets the vote over Kylie Time. The last mentioned has not looked a complete natural over fences so far but has the build to make a chaser and it may be too soon to be writing him off just yet. Michael Chapman's Dabus is probably flattered by his proximity to the useful Almaydan at Huntingdon last time but still has to be respected in this company, while both Double Blade and Kalou are held by the selection on running at Musselburgh last time. L'Oiseau did everything that was asked of him when landing his debut success over fences that day last month in a handicap off a mark of 94. Bred to be better over fences than over hurdles and open to plenty of improvement over the larger obstacles, Len Lungo's gelding looks worth a punt today.
Dabus 40-1 Held up, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Almaydan at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (C) gd in Jan.
Do Keep Up 300-1 Held up, behind when fell at the 4th in race won by Almaydan at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (C) gd in Jan, 6 ran.
Double Blade 12-1 With leader, ridden after 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind L'Oiseau at Musselburgh 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in Jan.
Kalou (GER) 7-2 Held up, ridden and hit 3 out, stayed on from next, no impression, 4th of 7, 8l behind L'Oiseau at Musselburgh 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in Jan.
Kylie Time (IRE) 8-1 Held up, blundered and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Why The Big Paws at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (E) gf in Dec.
L'Oiseau (FR) 11-4fav Held up and keen, soon tracking leaders, led approaching 4 out, ridden after last, kept on under pressure, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in Jan beating Jallastep by a hd, 7 ran.
Moment of Madness (IRE) 16-1 With leader, effort 3 out, outpaced approaching next, soon beaten, 5th of 12, 28l behind Deja Vu at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Dec.
Oso Magic 7-1 Chased leader, led 4th, clear 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Borehill Joker at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Dec.
Ashnaya (FR) 8-1 Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 30l behind Isellido at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec.
