chased leaders, led 9th, clear when hit 2 out, stayed on well
held up, headway 8th, chased winner from 4 out, jumped right from 2 out, weakened from last
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
led to 2nd, lost place from 7th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th ridden after 4 out weakened 2 out
in rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
towards rear, hit 7th, effort after 4 out, no impression
held up in rear, headway to lead 6th, headed 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, fell heavily 2 out
This is a competitive handicap chase and we will side with Madison Du Berlais to get the better of Launde and Mr Prickle. The selection won well last time when beating Offemont on heavy ground at Warwick. That form was franked on Thursday when Offemont won well at the same track, so Madison Du Berlais looks to have a rock solid chance. Launde is chasing the hat-trick today and he will be a big danger if he is given an easy lead. However, his overall form does not look as solid as the selection and for that reason he is taken on. Mr Prickle is another that has won his last two races and he is clearly going the right way. He handles soft ground but it remains to be seen whether he will as effective under these even more testing conditions. Almaydan is a course and distance winner and could go well at a big price, but we are happy to return to Madison du Berlais who looks to have a really solid chance.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Held up, headway to track leader 6th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy beating Offemont (10-1) by 14l, 5 ran.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders from 3rd, hit 8th, close 3rd when mistake 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 3rd of 6, 26l behind Bohemian Spirit (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
Launde (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Made all, mistake 3 out, ridden approaching next, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Lord Rodney (10-9) by 2l, 6 ran.
Palua 12-1 (11-12) Led, ridden clear after 4 out, jumped left 3 out, kept on from 2 out, not fluent last, headed close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind Pearl King (10-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Almaydan 9-1 (11-1) Led to 2nd, led again approaching 3rd, headed 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 5l behind Kenzo III (9-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Mr Prickle (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Jumped well, tracked leaders, led 9th, drew clear from 3 out, eased flat, won at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Lucky Duck (11-3) by 12l, 4 ran.
Transit 14-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, 33l behind Brave Vision (10-3) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Ease The Way 10-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, hit 1st, lost place 4th, headway to press leaders again 6th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 14, 21l behind Nadover (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Ela Re 11-8fav (11-4) Pulled hard, led 2nd, headed approaching 4 out, led again 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on, won at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating Kentucky Blue (11-4) by 6l, 4 ran.
