held up in 4th, dropped to last 6th, outpaced 7th, went poor 4th before 3 out, plugged on in 3rd run-in
led briefly, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off
jumped well, made most, clear before 2nd until given breather 5th, clear again next, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
soon chasing (clear) winner, closed briefly 5th, not fluent 7th, well held 3 out, soon ridden, landed steeply next, blundered last
well off the pace in rear, gained a place 6th, pushed along in modest 3rd 4 out, plugged on and no impression next, weakened into 4th run-in
Man Of Steel has 7lb more to carry than when beating the redoubtable Big Fella Thanks in this last year but will be all the better for a recent run between the flags at Larkhill. However, SADDLERS ENCORE is having only his second run over fences under Rules. In his first, he finished third behind Thistlecrack and he won a point at Barbury last month so his fitness is guaranteed. Rouge Et Blanc wasn’t entirely disgraced in a competitive hunter chase at Hereford last month but, like Hazy Tom, is not getting any younger.
Man Of Steel (IRE) 6-4 (12-5) (cp) (tt) hdwy 12; wknd 15, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Brackloon High (12-5) at Larkhill 3m gs in Jan.
Hazy Tom (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) (tt) hdwy 5; wknd aft 11; wl bhnd when pu 13, at Barbury Racecourse 3m gs in Jan.
Rouge Et Blanc (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 6th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 12, 22l behind Shotavodka (12-6) at Hereford 2m 5f (5) sft in Jan.
Saddlers Encore (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Hdwy 9; outpcd 13; rallied app 2 out; stayed on to ld nr fin, won at Barbury Racecourse 3m gs in Jan beating Barel Of Laughs (12-4) by 1l, 15 ran.
Swallowshide 20-1 (12-0) (h) bhnd til hdwy 9; wknd 13; t.o & pu last, at Barbury Racecourse 3m gs in Jan.
