tracked leader, challenged 7th, led after 8th, headed next, led 12th, narrow lead when fell 4 out
jumped left, led until 7th, outpaced in last when left 3rd and hampered 4 out, went 2nd last, no impression on winner
tracked leader, challenged 5th, led 7th, headed after next, led again 9th, not fluent 10th, headed 12th, pressed leader when left clear 4 out, stayed on
held up in 4th, headway after 12th, close 3rd when fell 4 out
held up in rear, went 4th after 12th, left 2nd when hampered 4 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd last
Keeper Hill won Grade 2 chase at Doncaster in December but is penalised 10lb for his trouble. Barney Dwan made the most of favourable terms to beat only two rivals at Market Rasen last time but PETER THE MAYO MAN was making his chasing debut when successful at Doncaster and beating an odds-on favourite six lengths. There looks plenty more to come from him over fences and Paul Nicholls won this last year with the useful Frodon. Alzammaar and Martiloo have it all to do at the weights and both of the former’s rivals fell when winning at Catterick leaving him to come home alone.
Keeper Hill (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) With leader, a few mistakes, led 3 out, ridden before last, kept on strongly, won at Doncaster 3m (1) gd in Dec beating Braqueur D'or (11-1) by 8l, 4 ran.
Alzammaar (USA) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked until before 8 out, left alone from 5 out, won at Catterick 3m 1f (3) gs in Dec
Barney Dwan (IRE) 4-5fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led 3 out, clear last, pushed out, won at Market Rasen 3m (4) gs in Dec beating Clondaw Cian (11-1) by 15l, 3 ran.
Peter The Mayo Man (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led to 7th, tracked leader, led again 2 out, quickened clear after last, eased near finish, readily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec beating Stowaway Magic (11-0) by 6l, 5 ran.
Martiloo (FR) 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, driven 4 out, went 2nd when ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Middlebrow (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
