The once useful Tamarinbleu was successful in this race from the same mark a year ago. He's been pulled up in his last two starts but both in much better company and has to be on the short-list. Another old favourite, Big Fella Thanks, ran very well behind Hello Bud at Aintree last time and should carry his big weight with distinction though GANSEY looks the one to be on. Sue Smith's charge has finished runner-up in better races than this at Wetherby and Aintree on his two latest starts and deserves a change of fortune. Captain Americo jumps well and stays forever and is on the same mark as when just beaten at Kelso last time and though it's a long time since Tullamore Dew won he's been competing at a high level and has dropped to a mark he is capable of winning from.
Big Fella Thanks 7-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, not fluent 11th, mistake next, hampered 15th (canal turn), headway 17th, stayed on flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Hello Bud (10-0) at Aintree 3m 2f Listed hcp chs (1) hvy.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Shared lead until 12th, lost place approaching 16th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by The Package (11-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Held up, headway approaching 5 out, hit 4 out, 3rd and ridden when left 2nd and hampered last, stayed on flat, joined winner towards finish, held close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Bless The Wings (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Gansey (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 9th, soon led, pressed from 2 out, headed final 150 yards, held after, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Little Josh (10-9) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) hvy.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, headway to 3rd at 14th, hung left and stayed on to 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Restless Harry (11-0) at Newbury 3m grad ch (2) sft.
Hell's Bay (FR) 50-1 (9-9) Mid-division, outpaced out, soon behind and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Unioniste (9-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy, 14 ran.
Forzy Origny (FR) 40-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 15th, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 30l behind Marufo (10-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Captain Americo (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd before omitted 2 out, stayed on well run-in, always just held, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Mortimers Cross (10-10) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
Dashing George (IRE) 7-2fav (10-11) Tracked leaders and keen, led 10th, headed before 2 out, jinked before last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3l behind State Benefit (11-4) at Sandown 3m Amateur Handicap Chase (0-130) (4yo+) (3) sft.
