A decent contest here and it is former Grand Annual winner Greenhope who is fancied to oblige at the main expense of the progressive Sou'Wester, Benetwood, and Mango Catcher. The selection has not been at his best in recent times but then again eh has been contesting better races than this one. At nine years of age he is probably not getting any better, however his latest third showed a bit more zest and with plenty in his favour today he is taken to score. Coach Lane has claims as he hung on well last time, but a 9lb rise in the weights makes life a lot tougher. Mango Catcher and Sou'Wester are linked on their running of last time; a strong pace will suit Sou'Wester however a pull in the weights may mean that there is very little between them today. Water Taxi has been given a break, presumably to wait for this sort of ground, whilst Edmo Yewkay has had a good winter but he is now high enough in the weights. Old Timer Bleu Superbe would be a popular winner but that is unlikely, and a more eminent danger may be Benetwood who is unexposed but his form has mixed messages in it form-wise. Farmer's Lad, a consistent sort from the Alners could go well once again; however it is Greenhope who can return to winning ways.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Always prominent, mistake 5th, chased winner 6th, lost 2nd 8th, chased winner again from 10th, no extra, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Ela Re (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Greenhope (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, ridden and hit 4 out, kept on from next, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Marcel (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Sou'wester 4-1fav (11-12) Towards rear, led briefly approaching 3 out, ridden and jumped well to lead 2 out, driven out and held on gamely flat, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr beating Mango Catcher (10-8) by 3l, 9 ran.
Benetwood (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Held up, headway 9th, joined winner 10th until weakened 12th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Boomshakalaka (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 18, 31l behind Eric's Charm (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Apr.
Allumee 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 6, 26l behind Oceanos des Obeaux (11-12) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Led, ridden when headed 2 out, weakened quickly, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Bring Me Sunshine (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Water Taxi 9-2 (11-0) Held up, in touch when hit 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and held on flat, won at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Open de L'Isle (10-11) by a shd, 6 ran.
Bestofthebrownies (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 5 out, every chance 3 out, kept on, no extra flat, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Nirvana Swing (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Farmer's Lad (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Chased leader, challenged 4 out, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Chaninbar (10-12) at Taunton 2m nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
Mango Catcher (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, no chance with winner from last, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Sou'wester (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Beesneez (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 13th, led before 2 out, pushed clear to assert flat, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Marked Man (11-1) by 5l, 10 ran.
