COGRY and Red Devil Lads were both fancied to go well in the Welsh Grand National but failed to complete in awful conditions, since when the latter has also pulled up in the Betfair Classic won by Russe Blanc. He's a course and distance winner however who would be competitive with a clear round but the selection's run prior to his Chepstow disappointment makes him the one to beat. He stayed on to real effect up the Cheltenham hill in a hot handicap won by Sausalito Sunrise, handles forecast conditions and the 5lb claim of Jamie Bargary will prove most welcome in this ground. Bob Ford is respected but concedes weight all round and Finish The Story is more interesting at the foot of the weights despite being 1lb out of the handicap.
Bob Ford (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 7th until 11th, soon led again, headed 14th, led 17th, headed 5 out, disputing 4th when fell next, at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Cogry 8-1fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place after 12th, well beaten 17th, pulled up before 5 out, at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Red Devil Lads (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Not that fluent, soon led, jumped right 1st, headed next, stayed handy, lost place 15th, soon behind, pulled up before next, at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Audacious Plan (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Not fluent in rear, reminders after 3rd, behind 18th, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Allez Vic (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost place 1st, mistake and unseated rider next, at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Minella On Line (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, reminder in 7th place after 8th (water), chasing leaders when hit 12th, 3rd after 13th, pushed along 4 out, held when pecked last, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Local Show (11-0) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Finish The Story (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-0) Led, hit 16th, headed 19th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 4m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
