prominent, chased leader 9th, led approaching 10th, shaken up, chased leader 2 out, easily
led 1st, prominent, weakened 10th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led 9th to approaching 10th, soon ridden, blundered 11th, weakening when fell 13th
held up last, blundered 6th, soon no chance
towards rear, headway 10th, ridden 12th, weakened after 13th
held up last, headway, ridden 12th, mistake 4 out, kept on to go 2nd approaching last
mid-division, headway 10th, ridden, chased winner 4 out, kept on one pace
led 2nd to 9th, weakened 12th, badly hampered 13th, no chance after
in touch, ridden to hold place after 6th, kept on one pace
Sporting Rebel has shown in the past that he acts in the mud and so we will side with Victor Dartnall's charge ahead of Sovereign's Joy and Zacharova. Despite the burden of top-weight, the selection should be able to run a big race on ground he handles. Jack Doyle takes off a handy 5lbs and if eliminating the small mistakes (seen when finishing second here back in February), then he should go close. Expect Forager to improve after his seasonal reappearance, whilst Zacharova has shown plenty of zest in his recent runs and has winning form on heavy ground. Sovereign's Joy fell before the race had started to hot up at Leicester last time and if none the worse for that fall then he would have solid claims, especially if repeating the form of his previous win at that track. Countess Trifaldi is more often the bridesmaid than the bride, so it may be Supreme Cara who rates more of a threat,. She has been mixing hurdles and fences well this season and having kept better company in the past, she may fancy her chances today. An open race, in which we will side with Sporting Rebel.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Chased winner, mistake 4th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon held, 2nd of 6, 26l behind Charlies Future (10-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Countess Trifaldi (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 18l behind Iris De Balme (10-5) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Supreme Cara 7-2 (10-4) In touch, ridden 10th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 10, 42l behind Dr Hart (11-0) at Lingfield 3m beg chs (4) gd.
Forager 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until weakened after 10th, 6th of 8, 48l behind Le Burf (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) gs.
Sovereign's Joy 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, close up when fell at the 10th in race won by Ballyvaden (10-2) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Zacharova (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, every chance 2 out until no extra run-in, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Massini Sunset (9-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 16, 14l behind Massini Sunset (9-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Menelaus 9-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden 11th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 7, 41l behind Oscar Park (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gd in Feb.
Freeline Fury 33-1 (10-0) Soon mid-division, ridden approaching 12th, headway 5 out, went 4th 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Snoopy Loopy (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
