behind, mistake 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
soon chasing leaders, reminders approaching 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from last always held flat
behind, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
towards rear, weakened and detached approaching 10th
chased leader, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up, ridden and weakened 4 out
led, 1 length up when fell last
mid-division, headway 6th, chased leader approaching 3 out, left in lead last, all out
mid-division, reminders 5th, lost place next, tailed off when pulled up after 8th
not jumped well, soon behind, detached from 10th
behind, headway after 4 out, ridden and hampered when left 2nd last, weakened flat
If Chopneyev gets an easy lead he could be hard to peg back, however that appears unlikely and off this mark of 106 he is taken on with Corlande, with Lago an obvious danger off his low weight. Young Smokey is certainly a live danger as well. The last named-loves the ground and should be carefully monitored making just his second start over fences. However he has quite a bit to find on hurdles form with these so is passed over today. The selection has been the model of consistency in recent runs and deserves to get his head in-front. The form of his penultimate run behind Ice Melted has been franked by the winner going close since. He has the cheek-pieces on for the first time today and so he gets the nod. Young Smokey is interesting stepping up in trip as he needed every yard to get up last time out. He is very interesting for his shrewd trainer and should be watched very closely for signs of confidence in the betting. Wee Anthony appears to be struggling off his revised mark so is passed over, whilst William Butler is a place bet for sure but tends to find at least one too good. This is certainly a competitive race, however we will tentatively side with Corlande to benefit from first-time cheek-pieces.
Barton Legend 50-1 (11-2) Led, ridden 4 out, headed and weakened, 10th of 17, well behind The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Chopneyev (FR) 11-2 (11-10) In touch, blundered 2nd, ridden to chase leaders 16th, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 17l behind Cinnamon Line (11-2) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Wee Anthony (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Mid-division, effort 14th, pecked 16th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 31l behind Cinnamon Line (11-2) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Deja Vu (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, short lived effort 18th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Master Sebastian (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Blackergreen 2-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, every chance when blundered and unseated rider at the 14th in race won by Iloveturtle (9-7) at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Red Square Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, led 7th to 11th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Parish Oak (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 7 ran.
William Butler (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, mistakes 5th, 12th and 13th, weakened approaching 14th, 3rd of 7, 33l behind Black Hills (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Corlande (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, jumped left last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Predestine (9-11) at Haydock 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Auntie Kathleen 28-1 (10-6) Held up, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 39l behind Faasel (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Young Smokey (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, in 5th and plenty to do approaching 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, chased leader last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan beating Barton Sun (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Maringo (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Soon towards rear, lost place 5th, blundered next, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Himalayan Trail (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Lago 3-1fav (11-5) In touch, challenged last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Lesdream (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
