fell 1st
held up, ridden and headway after 10th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders until 9th, soon behind, pulled up before 11th
left in lead after 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out
jumped well, tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, kept on gamely, driven out
led until mistake 3rd, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, hit 13th, ridden to challenge 3 out, kept on, held near finish
held up, headway 10th, ridden after 13th, soon weakened, behind when fell last
held up, hampered 3rd, headway next, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
tracked leader, ridden after 13th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up behind, fell 8th
mid-division, hit 6th, behind when fell next
fell 3rd
Marcus is the selection ahead of Leading Attraction and Karanja in what is a decent beginners' chase. Runner up last time out, the selection was not disgraced in that position behind the progressive Robin De Sherwood. Momentarily outpaced approximately turning out of the back straight in that contest, he stayed on again in the closing stages and the step up in trip will suit. He can put his experience to good use here and land this contest. Leading Attraction, described as a 'smashing prospect' by Paul Nicholls, is an Irish point-to-point winner so it is not surprising connections have opted to go straight over fences. His bumper victory reads very well, the second being last seasons top novice hurdler Flight Leader. He does face a stiff task though against an experienced rival in Marcus. Karanja, a former top bumper performer, has failed to step up on that promising initial season. Chasing always appeared as if it would be his game though. He returns after 15 months off the track and is probably best watched today. Franco ran well in defeat behind the exciting Nevertika last time and could provide value for those seeking a contender at bigger odds but Marcus is given the nod.
Alderman Rose 11-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 6th, mistake 9th, weakened 14th, tailed off, 3rd of 7, well behind Cathedral Rock (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Bright Green 100-1 (10-7) Prominent, led after 5th, headed 9th, led again after next, headed after 4 out, one pace from next, 4th of 10, 22l behind Robin De Sherwood (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Convincing Grey (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 27l behind Dr Hart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Franco (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, hit 1st, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Nevertika (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
Karanja 6-1 (11-1) In touch, headway to lead 7th, made rest, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov '06 beating Oscar Park (11-4) by 3/4l, 21 ran.
Kirbys Glen (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Keen towards rear, ridden 10th, hampered next, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Over The Creek (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Leading Attraction (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Held up in mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and chased leader approaching 2 out, led last, hard ridden flat, all out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '06 beating Flight Leader (11-4) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Marcus 2-1 (11-0) In touch, joined winner 4 out, ridden next, kept on from last, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Robin De Sherwood (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Minella Lodge 12-1 (10-11) Behind when unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Alpha Gamble (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 5f amt hcp chs (5) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Mith Hill 5-1fav (11-4) In touch, led after 6th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 44l behind Albany (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Spitfire Bob (USA) 25-1 (11-1) Held up, hit 8th, headway next, 3rd briefly after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 9, 38l behind English Jim (11-1) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov '06.
The Langer (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 14, 32l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-4) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
The Whispering Oak (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) In touch until weakened after 8th, 9th of 14, well behind Curragh View (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct '06.
