chased leader until 3rd, chased leading pair, not much room on inside and hampered after 11th, tried to rally next, blundered 14th, pulled up before next
held up in rear, blundered 2nd, fell 11th
soon held up in last trio, steady headway 17th, chased leaders before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to 2nd between last 2 until last, rallied to 2nd again final 100 yards, no impression on winner
held up in last pair, not fluent 13th, making steady headway on outside when blundered and stumbled badly 17th, rallied to chase leaders before 3 out, lost 3rd 2 out, soon driven and weakened
ran in snatches, chased leaders and early reminders, went 3rd after 12th, went 2nd 16th, ridden and no impression when dropped to 3rd between last 2, 2nd again last until 100 yards out
chased leadding pair, went 2nd 3rd, led 10th, made rest, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, went 3rd 18th, outpaced before 3 out, plugged on to 4th before last
Soll is being aimed at the Grand National but runs his best races here. Noble Legend was just beaten off today's mark at Leicester but is better over shorter trips and Merrion Square looked to be struggling when taking a heavy fall at Kempton over Christmas and hasn't been seen since. CHARTREUX was in front and still going well when falling at Kempton last month. Jumping is obviously a concern over these tricky fences but Tom George's grey is clearly well treated at present and could gain compensation with a clear round. De La Bech can't be ruled out either but Howard's Legacy hasn't been at his best this season and this looks a big ask for Kasbadali and Goring One.
Noble Legend 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, went 2nd 9th, led after next, headed just after 2 out, rallied final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Rydalis (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Feb.
Soll 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, ridden and outpaced after 5 out, 7th of 14, 47l behind Rigadin De Beauchene (10-5) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Merrion Square (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Waited with in rear, disputing 5 lengths 6th when fell 4 out, in a race won by Ma Filleule (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Kasbadali (FR) 5-1 (10-8) With leader, led approaching 4 out, headed next, rallied last, kept on under pressure to lead close home, stayed on gamely, won at Exeter 3m (3) gd in Nov beating Ballytober (10-6) by nk, 4 ran.
Howard's Legacy (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, chased winner 7 out, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Golden Call (11-3) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
De La Bech 13-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened before and not fluent 12th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Emperor's Choice (10-5) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Chartreux (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Led until 6th, chased leaders in 3rd, led again 10th, ridden and staying on in 2 lengths lead when fell 3 out, in a race won by Triangular (10-11) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Goring One (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost 3rd at 14th, weakened 3 out, left modest 3rd at the last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Presented (10-5) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
