led, headed after 3rd, reminders after next, mistake 5th, led after 8th until mistake next, weakened 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, led after 3rd, jumped right 5th, headed after 8th, left in lead next, headed approaching 3 out, beaten next, held on for 2nd
tracked leaders, hit 6th, outpaced from 7th, plugged on approaching last
held up in 4th, not fluent and reminders 4th, went 2nd after 4 out, led approaching next, clear before 2 out, ridden out
soon behind, stayed on from 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, just held for 2nd, no chance with winner
Chrysander has won four times over hurdles this season but all of those victories have come in claiming company and he was pulled up off this mark in his last run in a handicap. Cortinas clearly isn't the force of old while William Bonney is often let down by his jumping and Courella has only beaten one home in his last three starts. MIBLEU returns from his winter break but has gone well fresh in the past and is on a decent mark here - he gets the vote.
Chrysander Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 4th, clear when not fluent 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (4) gd beating Bundle Up (10-9) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Mibleu (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Held up behind, outpaced 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, took beaten 4th flat, never near leaders, 4th of 8, 12l behind Qianshan Leader (11-4) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Cortinas (GER) 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear in 6th, hit 7th and weakened, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Cruchain (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs (0-135) (3) gd.
Courella (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Prominent, led 4th, not fluent next, headed 6th, chased winner, ridden after 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 11l behind High Jack (10-13) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
William Bonney (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Theatre Diva (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd, 10 ran.
