tracked leaders, disputed lead 9th, led next, ridden 2 out, ran on
towards rear, hit 5th and reminders, lost touch 9th, stumbled and unseated rider last
held up, lost place 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
led, headed 10th, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, mistake 6th (water), hung right soon after, blundered badly 4 out and weakened
tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out one pace
held up, in touch, mistake 7th, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out
held up, closer order 5th, ridden 10th, weakened 3 out
Marked Man is taken to follow up his recent course and distance win; Zacharova and Obelix De Longechaux make it to the shortlist. The selection stayed on well when successful last time out and he has a decent strike-rate over fences. He is effective on varying ground conditions and as he is still well-treated on form from a couple of years ago, there appears no reason why he cannot defy an 11lb rise in the weights. Noel Chance saddles Obelix De Longechaux and whilst he hasn't always impressed on his British starts, he does have ability and fresh may be the time to catch him. Cusp should do better with two runs this season under his belt, whilst Zacharova represents a stable hitting some form and must be respected on his chasing debut. At a price, course and distance winner Lyon could go well, however it is Marked Man who receives the nomination.
Marked Man (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led after 10th, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct beating Abutilon (9-9) by 6l, 14 ran.
Lyon 18-1 (11-2) Prominent, mistakes 4th and 6th, weakened 9th, blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Mighty Moose (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Magical Quest 9-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, hit 4th, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 9l behind Souffleur (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Sitting Duck 12-1 (11-3) Led, headed 11th, weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Randolph O'Brien (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Zacharova (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression approaching last, 6th of 16, 11l behind Gus (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Cusp 50-1 (10-0) Led until ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace after, 5th of 10, 12l behind Eden Linty (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd.
Mylord Collonges (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up last, headway to chase winner 17th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 6, 17l behind Treasulier (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Arctic Spirit 8-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed between last 2, one pace under pressure, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Charlie George (11-2) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Obelix De Longechaux (FR) 6-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, driven along and struggling from 4 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Bible Lord (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
