led, headed 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, chasing winner and held when fell last
in touch, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, closer order 3rd, mistake 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, clear approaching last
mid-division and keen, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out
prominent and keen, went wide and lost place on bend after 4th, soon behind
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, driven 3 out, no impression
towards rear and keen, hung left and bit pulled through mouth after 2nd, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, hampered and left 3rd last
held up and keen, not fluent 4th, headway approaching next, mistake 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
prominent throughout, held when left 2nd and mistake last
Nonrunner
A chance is taken on Monfils Monfils, who may represent a touch better value than Pepporoni Pete, while Master Mahogany and Picacho are others to bear in mind in the betting. The last named unseated his rider at the second obstacle on his hurdling debut, so the jury is still out regarding his ability for the jumping game. being trained by Phillip Hobbs, he is in the right hands to hone his skills and it would come as no surprise to see Richard Johnson give him an educational round on this occasion. Picacho did win over two miles on the Flat though, so his stamina is not in question. Master Mahogany is the most exposed in the line up and has been expensive to follow since switching codes. Still, he is at least consistent and is capable of making the frame at this level. Pepporoni Pete showed plenty of promise in bumpers last season and confirmed he is a bright prospect when scoring at Wincanton on his reappearance last October. However, he has been a major disappointment since than and comes here with plenty to prove after running a shocker last time out. Therefore, it can pay to side with Monfils Monfils, who is far less exposed and comes here for only his third outing on British shores. The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding is likely to be suited by today's conditions and a bold attempt is anticipated this afternoon.
Wildbach (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, behind from next, tailed off 7th, 13th of 18, well behind Jungleland (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Master Mahogany 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Tritonix (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 12-1 (11-9) Prominent, ridden 4th, one pace from 2 out, 8th of 17, 41l behind Osana (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 2-5fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, good headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, found nil, 7th of 13, 34l behind City Streets (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Grandos (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Always behind, 10th of 11, 15l behind Writ (9-8) at Lingfield 1m clm (6) pol in Mar (Flat).
Knapp Bridge Boy 80-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 10, 9l behind Swift Half (10-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gf.
Follow The Colours (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Soon led, slow 2nd, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, well behind River Logic (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Mancebo (GER) (9-2) Never reached challenging position, 11th of 16, 21l behind Ronan (9-6) at Frankfurt 1m 3f hcp sft in Nov (Flat).
Wheelavit (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 12th of 18, 48l behind Special Envoy (11-6) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Inching West 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened 4f out, 10th of 16, well behind Princess Flame (11-3) at Fontwell 1m 6f mrs nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Yellow Jersey 100-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, no impression, 15th of 17, 28l behind Bertie May (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Picacho (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Held up, blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by River Logic (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Fisby 66-1 (9-7) Held up, mid-division, lost place 3 out, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Amour Multiple (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Mission Man 50-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden and headway 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 31l behind Valiant Shadow (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
