towards rear, struggling from 8th, soon tailed off
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 3rd, remained prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, fell 8th
held up in mid-division, blundered 10th (Bechers Brook), headway and in touch 14th, led 2 out, ridden out
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 3rd (The Chair)
in touch, pushed along and lost place 9th, rallied and effort 14th, outpaced after 3 out
towards rear, blundered 3rd (The Chair), never dangerous
led 3rd to 9th, remained close up, every chance 3 out until 2 out, one pace approaching last
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 3rd (The Chair)
prominent, led 9th, headed 2 out, every chance until no extra towards finish
towards rear, fell 10th (Bechers Brook)
prominent, pushed along in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 14th
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, one pace approaching last
mid-division, mistake when hampered 10th (Bechers Brook), headway and effort after 3 out, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, fell 10th (Bechers Brook)
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, headway under pressure 15th, blundered 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway when mistake 8th, hit 11th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
soon behind
Six of this field contested last year's race (including the winner Scots Grey) and that number doesn't include Katarino who took the honours in the two preceding years. Asides from that pair, others to consider are Christy Beamish, Sonevafushi, Thisthatandtother, Buckby Lane and Where Now but our vote goes to Alvino. The selection showed smart form as a youngster, winning his first two starts in bumpers before finishing a highly creditable ninth at the Cheltenham Festival. He was clearly talented but endured no end of health problems and never fulfilled his potential but it's that potential that makes him of interest here. He won as he liked at Wincanton last month on his first run over regulation fences since 2005 suggesting that he retains plenty of his old ability. He has something to prove going left handed but has had limited opportunities and won't lack for assistance from the saddle. Cherry Coward relies on Sonevafushi rather than her Cheltenham hero and connections will be expecting a big run but he does have his quirks. Thisthatandtother is the highest rated horse but has to put a poor run behind him and a bigger threat could be Where Now who may have found the ground too lively when third last year; these conditions should suit him better and he comes here in great form. An open and competitive renewal as ever, Alvino is the pick.
Adventino 100-1 (11-3) Slowly away, behind, never on terms, 6th of 14, 31l behind Super Nomad (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Alvino 5-4fav (12-0) Towards rear, headway approaching 9th, chased leader 4 out, led 3 out, shaken up 2 out, soon in command, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating Cape Stormer (12-0) by 29l, 12 ran.
Arctic Times (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Prominent, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 23, 8l behind Amicelli (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
Buckby Lane 5-6fav (12-0) A.p; led 12; qcknd clr 3 out, won at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Persian Hero (12-7) by 10l, 4 ran.
Christy Beamish (IRE) 4-11fav (11-0) Trckd ldrs; led app 2 out; sn clr, won at Sandon 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Mytimie (11-0) by 20l, 5 ran.
Encore Cadoudal (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Went 2nd 12-14; ev ch app 2 out; no imp, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Duchess Account (10-7) at Dalton Park 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Eskimo Jack (IRE) 4-5fav (12-7) Led to 2nd & from 9th, drew away from 12th, won at Dalston 3m ptp gs in Mar beating Behavingbadly (12-0) by 20l, 10 ran.
Fiori 11-10fav (11-0) Led til hdd app 2 out; sn outpcd, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Sea Scout (10-7) at Hutton Rudby 3m ptp sft in Mar.
Holy Joe (FR) 9-2 (12-2) Led to 15th, chased leader, led 4 out to 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Shepherds Hut (11-5) at Exeter 3m 1f hts chs (5) sft in Mar.
Jacksonville (FR) 4-1 (11-0) (cp) led til hdd app 3; chall 3 out; one pce flat, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Robbers Glen (11-0) at Whittington 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Katarino (FR) 2-5fav (12-7) Mistakes 1st & 10th, led after 15th, drew away, won at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp gd in Mar '07 beating Lord Trix (12-0) by 20l, 8 ran.
Mooramana 6-1 (11-0) Went 2nd 11; led last; r.o game, won at Welbeck 3m ptp gf in Mar beating Bedtime Boys (11-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Scots Grey 11-4 (12-10) Led, headed 2nd, led again 6th, headed 10th, led again 15th, headed next, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Bolachoir (11-7) at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Sonevafushi (FR) 1-3fav (12-5) Led 12th, ridden clear flat, won at Charm Park 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Imps Way (11-12) by 3l, 8 ran.
Thisthatandtother (IRE) 1-8fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led 3rd, hit 7th, ridden and headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Twenty Degrees (12-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hts chs (4) gd in Feb.
Viscount Bankes 9-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, struggling after 13th, 4th of 14, 24l behind Super Nomad (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Where Now (IRE) 4-11fav (12-0) Held up, headway to lead before last, drew clear, won at Lismore 3m ire ptp gd-sft in Mar beating Joyeur D'estruval (12-0) by 6l, 7 ran.
Whitenzo (FR) 15-8fav (12-4) In touch, blundered 9th, short of room bend after 13th, chased leaders 4 out, never a danger, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Back Nine (11-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs in Mar.
Younowhat (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) In touch, one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Maith An Fear (12-0) at Loughnamore 3m ire ptp gd-sft in Mar.
Adolphus (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Chsd wnr vain 15, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Farlington (12-0) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
