tracked winner, not fluent 10th, challenged 3 out, ridden after 2 out, every chance approaching last where not fluent, one pace flat
took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 10th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
made all, joined 3 out, ridden approaching last, driven and stayed on flat
in touch, reminder after 4th and before 7th, struggling when not fluent 8th (water), soon lost touch, tailed off from after 10th, blundered badly 2 out, pulled up before last
There's not a great deal to choose between three of the five runners in this field but we're going to side with Gaora Lane. The selection shaped fairly well in three runs over hurdles but was clearly ideally suited by the switch to chasing as he ran out a ready winner of a maiden chase at Plumpton. The form isn't anything to get too excited about but he did it well and there should be more to come from him. Contact Dancer has run some decent races but he's still searching for his first win over fences after fifteen attempts. This should be a sufficient test of stamina for Minella Tipperary; he hasn't quite lived up to expectations this season but he should be able to go close in this company. Rajam has something to find at the weights and also has his stamina to prove and the finish should be fought out between the three principals, of whom, we prefer Gaora Lane.
Gaora Lane (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, clear last, eased down towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 4f mdn chs (5) hvy in Mar beating Oscar D'angron (11-0) by 26l, 6 ran.
Minella Tipperary (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, hit 3rd and 6th, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 17l behind Kings Euro (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Rajam 15-2 (11-3) Behind, no chance when blundered 12th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Storm of Applause (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Supreme Marque (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Always in rear, detached when mistake 9th, pulled up before 12th pulled up at the 12th in race won by Menchikov (11-0) at Ludlow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Chased clear leader, headway to lead after 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind BallaBriggs (11-0) at Bangor 3m beg chs (4) sft in Mar.
