tracked leaders, dropped towards rear after 7th, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, went 3rd next, driven to challenge and every chance between last 2, ridden and kept on flat, held near finish
led to before 8th, chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, well held in modest 4th from next
held up in touch on inside, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened from next
tracked leaders on outside, led 5 out, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, led again between last 2, stayed on under pressure flat
held up in touch, tracked leaders after 7th, challenged 4 out, led before next, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, 3rd and held flat
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway to track leaders 7th, led before next, headed 5 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
with leader, outpaced before 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when not fluent next
No Ceiling was raised 11lb for winning easily at Doncaster in December. He still has the beating of Valseur Du Granval but might find a couple of these too strong in the closing stages. I'dliketheoption might need this while Fourth Act is likely to find the trip on the short side but Enjoy Responsibly goes well on sharp tracks like this and Favorito Buck's could figure if in the mood. KAYF BLANCO doesn’t always find for pressure and is still seeking a first win over fences but he appeared to handle the step up in trip last time at Wetherby and that is the best recent form on offer. Rothman races off the same mark as when second over course and distance last month so can’t be ignored, despite failing to land the odds next time at Fontwell.
I'dliketheoption (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Mid-division on outside, blundered 3rd, headway 5 out, close up next, driven to chase leaders 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 15, 27 3/4l behind Alcala (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Kayf Blanco 11-4fav (10-7) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before last, kept on between rivals last 50 yards, held close home, 3rd of 8, nk behind Mercian Prince (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Fourth Act (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Led, jumped slowly 2nd, headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders, weakened quickly before last, 12th of 17, 19 3/4l behind Topofthegame (11-7) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Valseur Du Granval (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Jumped right, held up, mistake 1st, headway 3rd, lost place after 8th, well beaten 4 out, 5th of 7, 29 3/4l behind No Ceiling (10-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Favorito Buck's (FR) 11-4fav (11-2) Behind, blundered 2nd and 12th, soon beaten, pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Enjoy Responsibly (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Close up, jumped left 4th, headway 8th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 3l behind Creep Desbois (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
No Ceiling (IRE) 13-8fav (10-2) Held up in rear, blundered 1st, 6th and 7th, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd next, led before 2 out, clear last, eased towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Blandfords Gunner (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Rothman (FR) 8-11fav (11-9) Led, 3 lengths ahead when mistake 3 out, soon headed, not recover and no chance next, well clear of 3rd, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Bramble Brook (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
