towards rear, ridden after 9th, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden and chased leader after 3 out, led approaching last, driven out run-in
mid-division, reminders after 8th, beaten 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led until headed approaching 7th and gradually weakened from next
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on run-in
mid-division, chased leaders 9th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, led 9th, ridden and blundered 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra run-in
mid-division, ridden from 9th, beaten from 3 out
prominent, led approaching 7th til headed 9th, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, weakening when blundered 10th, pulled up before next
mid-division, 5th and in touch when blundered 9th, did not recover
An awful beginners' chase where we will chance AURORAS ENCORE to get the better of stablemate Leac An Scail and Jass. The selection is rated 139 over hurdles but was sunk without trace behind Skippers Brig on his chase debut at Carlisle a few days ago. In view of that, this may be a surprising recommendation, but there is no doubting that he has ability, plus winning form at this track, and he also acts with cut, and hopefully he can show his true colours this time. Leac An Scail has almost a stone to find with his stablemate on those official BHA hurdles ratings. He also acts on this undulating circuit and with cut in the ground and with the trip ideal he could go well. Jass was a gutsy runner-up to King Barry at Ayr in a handicap chase last week and has to be taken very seriously here, but he is rated miles behind the other pair over hurdles and if they run to their true abilities here he should be running for minor money. He has also had a few chances over fences so far without a win. Master Builder won a novices¿ hurdle at the track and does act with plenty of cut, and also stays very well. He will strip much fitter for a Doncaster pipe opener and could take a hand here. Osolomio goes well here, where he did win over the smaller obstacles, and he is rated in the 120s over hurdles, so is entitled to respect if taking to fences on his debut in this sphere. Nothing else stands out off the page and we will take Auroras Encore to score.
Aston Lad 22-1 (11-0) Always behind, blundered and lost touch from next, 7th of 11, well behind Hernando's Boy (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Held up in touch, weakened from 9th and pulled up at the last in race won by Skippers Brig (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy, 11 ran.
Glengap (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, headed 8f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 19, 47l behind Crackerjack Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Jass 9-2 (11-1) Soon close up, led 5th, headed 4 out, kept on, always held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind King Barry (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 17-2 (10-13) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, soon driven and one pace, 6th of 8, 17l behind Terenzium (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Master Builder (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 6th of 11, 27l behind Pop (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
Moyne Pleasure (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) In rear, headway to go in touch when mistake 5th, weakened 4 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Norminster (11-2) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy, 10 ran.
Osolomio (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Stradbrook (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Our Jim 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pecked 1st, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Six Day War (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Pass The Class (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, last of 7, 33l behind At The Money (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Sacred Mountain 33-1 (10-12) Always behind and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Tot O'Whiskey (10-12) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Oct, 8 ran.
Storymaker 8-1 (11-2) Held up, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from 3 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 17l behind Kealshore Boy (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
