tracked leaders, hit 8th, stayed close up, tracking leaders when blundered 4 out, went 2nd under pressure last, no impression flat
led, hit 13th, headed well before 2 out, hung right before last, weakened
blundered 1st, tracked leader to 5th, challenged 12th, mistake next, weakened 14th
in rear, soon tailed off, pulled up before 12th and dismounted
held up in 4th, tracked leader 14th, led well before 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well
Nonrunner
Red Devil Robert has shown improved form of late, recently in handicaps, and is taken to make a winning return to novice-company at the main expense of Lord Of Illusion and Liverpool Echo. The last mentioned had shown progressive form over fences, finally opening his account when beating Copsale Lad at Kempton in February but a subsequent disappointing effort in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase tempers enthusiasm for Henry Daly's gelding and of more interest may be Lord Of Illusion. Like the selection, Tom George's gelding comes here on the back of three successive wins and, again like the selection, the last two have been in handicaps. His jumping does not look to be as assured as Red Devil Robert though and for that reason it is the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding that gets the vote. The selection has impressed with his jumping in winning races at Taunton, Stratford and latterly at Newbury and his fencing may earn him another victory. Bubble Boy is less exposed than most of these and cannot be discounted completely, while Sonevafushi has yet to prove his effectiveness over today's trip. There are no such problems with Red Devil Robert tough and he gets the vote to complete a four timer.
Red Devil Robert (IRE) 9-4fav Held up in touch, took closer order 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs beating Bee An Bee by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sonevafushi (FR) 50-1 Chased leader to 11th, soon behind, no chance when hampered 4 out, 10th of 19, 36l behind King Harald at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (A) gd in Mar.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 10-1 Led, jumped left 4th and 5th, not fluent 7th (water), ridden approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Whitford Don at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (C) hvy in Mar.
Buzybakson (IRE) 20-1 Hit 7th, always towards rear, 6th of 10, 48l behind Black Smoke at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Mar.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 11-1 Mid-division, mistake 10th, blundered 12th, 9th of 19, 36l behind King Harald at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (A) gd in Mar.
Lord of Illusion (IRE) 11-4fav Made virtually all, not fluent 10th, hit 13th, driven clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Jan beating Baron Windrush by 12l, 11 ran.
