behind from 3rd, mistake and reminders 4th, no chance when hit 13th
jumped right, tracked leaders to 7th, weakened 12th
jumped left, led 2nd to 5th, with winner until pushed along approaching 3 out, soon beaten
in touch until weakened 13th
in touch, outpaced when hit 12th, no danger after
led to 2nd, led again 5th, pushed clear approaching last, comfortably
A typically small Haydock chase field here and Ginger McCain's Vicario can take advantage to beat Master Sebastian and Lord Brock. The selection has a little bit of class about him and is particularly at home in these sort of underfoot conditions. He stays 21f as evidenced by his Sedgefield win last time and provided he jumps soundly he looks to be the one to beat. Master Sebastian also likes to get his toe in and broke his chasing maiden with a hard fought win over King Barry at Ayr last time. Strictly on the book he has a bit to find with the selection at these weights and we will oppose him on that basis. Avitta is not in the best of form at present, Simon was a very lucky winner of a poor race last time, but Lord Brock is a course winner who will get every yard of this trip and can put a stinker behind him last time to show us more of what he is capable of on ground he will relish, and he won't be far away. However, Vicario comes from a yard in cracking form and can score.
Lord Brock 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, soon ridden, headway 7th, weakened quickly 5 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Korelo (11-10) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Master Sebastian 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led 7th, headed next, led again 11th, ridden and under pressure 2 out, upsides last, hard ridden flat, just held on, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating King Barry (10-5) by a nk, 7 ran.
Simon 9-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden and outpaced 12th, weakening when hit 3 out, 3rd and held when left clear last, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gs in Jan beating Bengo (11-2) by 11l, 6 ran.
Avitta (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Led until 3rd, stumbled next, tracked leaders, chance 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind Walcot Lad (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Vicario 10-3 (10-3) Tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and hard pressed from 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft beating Henry's Pride (10-11) by 2l, 9 ran.
Bannister Lane 14-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 11th, weakened 3 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 9, 12l behind Pass Me By (11-6) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) sft.
