chased winner, hit 10th, soon pushed along, 6 lengths down in 2nd and one pace when fell
chased leaders, outpaced when mistake 9th, ridden after 5 out, left 2nd 3 out, no impression
made all, hit 11th, drew clear after 4 out
in touch, ridden after 5 out, hampered by loose horse 3 out, weakened from 2 out
outpaced towards rear, reminders after 4th, stayed on to go 3rd from 2 out, no impression
in touch and mistakes, blundered 7th, outpaced from 12th
With My Way De Solzen giving this a swerve, the path looks clear for Faasel to land the spoils ahead of Buena Vista, Natal and Yes Sir. Having finished a seven-lengths fourth in the Arkle, Faasel would have been fancied to make a race of it with Alan King's charge on 7lb better terms anyway, but in that one's absence, his chance is even stronger. Beaten a total of eight-lengths by the progressive Aces Four at Aintree last time, this drop back in trip will be in his favour, and in receipt of weight from Buena Vista, he gets the vote. The latter looks held by the selection on Arkle form, but will be seen to better effect back over two-and-a-half miles, and is the main danger. Natal proved good enough to win the Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton in February, and goes back over fences after tackling the best stayers in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. A steadily run race should see him make his presence felt, while Yes Sir has it to do with the selection on Aintree form, and although likely to lead early, is basically out of form at present. Faasel is the pick.
Buena Vista (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway on outside approaching 5th, jumped slowly 7th, jumped slowly and lost place 8th, switched to inside approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 13, 33l behind My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Cheltenham.
Natal (FR) 16-1 (11-10) In touch until weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 32l behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Yes Sir (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Led until headed approaching 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra, 4th of 10, 15l behind Aces Four (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-8) Led, headed approaching 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Dictum (11-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 4 out, took 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Aces Four (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd.
Rasharrow (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, left in lead 11th, headed 13th, slightly outpaced next, stayed on approaching last, kept on run-in, 4th of 19, 9l behind L'Antartique (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
