chased leaders, went 2nd after 11th, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat
in touch, led 13th, headed when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
never really better than mid-division, behind 13th, hit next, no chance when hampered 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, reminders after 8th, dropped rear quickly, behind when pulled up before 10th
led, headed 5th, chased leader until after 11th, every chance 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, reminders after 7th, never in contention, well beaten 3 out
tendency to jump left, pressed leader, led 5th, headed when mistake 12th, weakened 4 out
prominent, jumped right and mistake 1st, not fluent 9th, soon lost place, blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
mid-division, headway approaching 9th, reminders after next, led approaching 2 out, went slightly left after last, driven flat, held on
towards rear until fell 4 out
chased leaders, weakened under pressure approaching 2 out
held up, headway 11th, mistake next, weakened after 3 out
in rear, headway under pressure 13th, stayed on flat
held up towards rear, headway approaching 14th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on
ran in snatches, mistake 1st, no chance when blundered badly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Few with solid claims and that includes JOHNS SQUARE, Overton Lad and Mr Ironman who make up our short-list. Jonjo O'Neill's runner has only had five career starts and is open to more improvement than the majority of these and his proximity to the fore of the market on his last two starts suggests that he has ability. The trainer has a thirty seven per cent strike rate at the track with his chasers and Johns Square may be able to add to that record with blinkers on for the first time. Overton Lad has only finished in the frame on one occasion but he did stay on quite well at Leicester over a trip just shy of three miles last time in a race of similar quality and may be able to build on that run. Mr Ironman has been in the wilderness but that has seen his mark drop to the level from which he scored over course and distance when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies. The conditions should be fine and he has a good pilot on board so he's well worth considering. Few are ruled out of this contest but we'll be hoping that Johns Square can prove to be a cut above this opposition.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, blundered 2nd and dropped to rear, weakened from 13th, 8th of 11, 37l behind Ballyvaden (11-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Johns Square (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Mid-division until lost place 7th and fell at the 13th in race won by Freeline Fury (11-4) at Chepstow 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Just Standeese (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Chasing leaders when fell at the 3rd in race won by Wednesday Country (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs (4) gd in Feb, 10 ran.
Hello My Lovely 6-1 (10-11) In touch, hampered 3rd, ridden after 11th, never able to get on terms, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 31l behind Wednesday Country (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs (4) gd in Feb.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Led, headed 3 out, outpaced next, ridden and rallied to chase winner last, until weakened flat, 4th of 11, 7l behind Kings Guard (11-3) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Overton Lad 25-1 (10-5) In rear, pushed along 10th, hit 12th, ridden 14th, stayed on approaching last, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 14l behind Pop Ahead (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Tomillielou 33-1 (11-0) In touch, under pressure 12th, lost place before 3 out, 7th of 17, 23l behind Extra Bold (11-6) at Chepstow 3m sll hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Something Gold (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 9th, soon driven and weakened, 5th of 11, 17l behind Toulouse Express (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Blunham Hill (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) In touch, mistake 5th, losing place when jumped badly left 9th, tailed off next, pulled up before 13th pulled up at the 13th in race won by National Petition (11-0) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Gerrard (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Ross Leader (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Definitely It 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 24l behind Paradise Expected (11-7) at Stratford 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl (5) gd.
Follow The Flow (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until weakened 13th, tailed off and pulled up at the 16th in race won by Freeline Fury (11-4) at Chepstow 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Mr Ironman 14-1 (9-13) Mid-division, closer order when unseated rider 5 out in race won by Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Walton Way 11-2jt-fav (10-1) Jumped right, towards rear, last 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 15th in race won by BallyGalley Bob (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Lonesome Boatman (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up 4th, struggling 10th, went 3rd 2 out, never any chance, 3rd of 4, 38l behind Leading Contender (10-9) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs.
Riccardo (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Held up, reminders 7th, lost touch 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Lord Gunnerslake (9-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
