held up tracking leaders in 4th, disputing close 3rd travelling well before 3 out, mistake 3 out, bumped next, going best last, 2nd on inside run-in, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, led well before 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, chased leader, led again last, hard ridden run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards
led, pushed along after 7th, ridden and headed well before 3 out, chased leader, switched left before 2 out, led again 2 out, mistake and headed last, 3rd and no impression run-in
took keen hold, jumped right, held up last, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 5th, fell 9th
chased leader hit 7th and next, lost 2nd next, chased leading pair until 3 out, disputing close 2nd when went left 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
This should be interesting as none of these are particularly proficient at their fences. Enchanting Smile put in a particularly mulish display at Wincanton nine days ago while Zhukov was never travelling when last at Plumpton on Monday. THE INFORMANT made several mistakes when only fifth at Chepstow three weeks ago but had earlier been on his best behaviour to score at Southwell when Morestead was well beaten. We'll give Seamus Mullins' charge another chance as Benny The Swinger is hardly prolific and continues to look a shade high in the weights.
Benny The Swinger (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Prominent, jumped right at times, mistake 2nd, beaten before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 17l behind Al Alfa (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
Zhukov (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, hit 6th and 7th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, last of 5, 16l behind Nozic (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft.
Morestead (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Led from 2nd, pushed along before 9th, headed 5 out, soon lost place, 4th of 6, 13l behind The Informant (10-7) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
Enchanting Smile (FR) 11-4fav (10-9) Jumped poorly, tracked leader, not fluent 1st, led before 2nd, mistakes 3rd and next, clear when tried to refuse 5th (water), headed next, chased leader until before 8th, stayed chasing leaders, blundered 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 5, 8l behind Martin Cash (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
The Informant 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, reminder before 1st and 4th, close up when not fluent 4 out, 4th and beaten when not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 35l behind Jeanry (11-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
