led to 9th, led again 12th to 14th, weakened 4 out
held up, headway 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on flat
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 10th, ridden after next, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, ridden 9th, weakened 12th
chased leader, led 9th to 12th, led again 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed after last, weakened
held up, mistake and unseated rider 5th
held up, headway 11th, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, led after last, ran on
Most of these are very much out of of form and so we are looking to last season's form for our selection which is Place Above, Deliceo and Pardini are put forward as the main dangers. Place Above has just had one run this season, finishing well behind Stoneravinmad. However he could have been in need of that outing and is better judged on his victory at Musselburgh in January when beating Prince Of Slane in good style. If running up to that form he will be hard to beat. Deliceo steps up in trip after finishing thirty lengths behind Jug Of Punch at Ludlow over two miles and five. He should appreciate this tougher test of stamina and could make the places. Pardini on the other hand drops back to a more suitable trip after finishing well behind Spotthedifference in the cross country event at Cheltenham last time. Best of the others could be Happy Hussar, but in a very difficult race to assess, Place Above is a tentative choice.
Ankles Back (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Led to 3rd, prominent to 13th, weakened quickly, behind when jumped slowly 14th, no chance when pulled up 5 out in race won by Excellent Vibes (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jun, 16 ran.
Deliceo (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 5th, pushed along 7th, weakened next, 5th of 15, 30l behind Jug Of Punch (10-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd.
Place Above (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, driven halfway, lost place approaching 4 out, soon tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Stoneravinmad (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Oct.
Pardini (USA) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden 25th, soon lost place, 12th of 14, well behind Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (B) gd.
Jacdor (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Prominent, hit 5th, led 6th to 7th, led again 12th, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 19l behind Eau Pure (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf.
Happy Hussar (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Led until headed 21st, weakened 4 out, 7th of 14, 34l behind Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (B) gd.
Strong Magic (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened and behind from 11th, 8th of 13, 45l behind Kausse de Thaix (11-1) at Windsor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd.
