prominent, led 3rd, jumped left 8th, headed 10th, mistake 11th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, headway approaching 4 out, weakened after next
always behind, mistake 5th, tailed off when mistake 2 out
held up, headway 8th, hit 13th, went 2nd next, pushed along approaching last, one pace last
with leader to 2nd, in touch, pushed along after 8th, weakened 4 out
led to 3rd, reminders after 6th, hit next, weakening when mistake 10th
prominent, led 10th, hit 12th and 13th, clear when not fluent last, easily
Stavordale Lad only has to jump round to win, and we take Luckycharm to fill the runner's up berth. This is not the best of betting mediums, with Stavordale Lad very likely to go off at prohibitive odds, but it is hard to oppose the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old just for the sake of it. In truth he looks the best of a poor bunch, having failed to impress with his jumping in six starts over fences since coming from the point-to-point field, but he has at least got round safely to finish second on each of his last two outings at Folkestone, and a similar effort here should suffice. His six rivals are even worse to weigh up, with hardly a semblance of decent form to work on, but Luckycharm plodded on for second in a bad chase at Uttoxeter last June, and even that mediocre effort puts him ahead of House Warmer and Fight The Feeling. Quite simply, this is not one to put the mortgage on, but connections will surely be distraught if Stavordale Lad cannot open his account under rules today.
Diamond Merchant 100-1 (11-3) Chased leaders until weakened 11th, 6th of 10, well behind Montgermont (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Fight The Feeling 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 9th, 6th of 17, 45l behind Fu Fighter (11-0) at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Jul.
House Warmer (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Cool Song (9-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov.
Joe Mchugh (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 12th pulled up 3 out in race won by Graceful Dancer (10-11) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (F) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Luckycharm (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Jumped right and unseated rider in race won by Keltic Lord (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jul, 14 ran.
Redhouse Chevalier 50-1 (10-12) In touch, reminders after 5th, mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Shining Strand (11-5) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Stavordale Lad (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Not fluent, tracked clear leader, left in lead 3 out, soon ridden, driven and headed 2 out, soon no chance of winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Concert Pianist (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
