held up in rear, not always fluent, hampered 7th, reminder after next, mistake 10th, behind next, pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider 7th
prominent, mistake 1st, led 12th, not fluent 2 out, pressed last, driven out
mid-division, closed 7th, jumped right and bumped rival 13th, soon outpaced, went modest 3rd when jumped right 2 out, tired when went right and refused last
led, not fluent 8th, headed 12th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
prominent, not fluent 1st, ridden 12th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance when jumped right last, no impression towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, ridden 11th, behind 13th, pulled up after 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, not fluent 9th, blundered 11th, pulled up before next
mid-division, blundered 11th, effort after 4 out, no impression, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 3rd, headway 11th, bumped 13th, soon beaten, left remote 3rd last
A few of these are potentially well-treated on their form over hurdles and most have already shown ability over fences. TOP WOOD may not have given his true running behind Salmanazar at Exeter three weeks ago and is 12lb better off. He's also blinkered so we'll take a chance that the headgear has the desired effect and he bounces back here. Deputy Dan has a touch class and, while he may be a bit better over slightly shorter, should go well. Audacious Plan didn't do a lot wrong on his chasing bow at Doncaster and will know more today and he looks better treated than Algernon Pazham, raised another 2lb since beaten at Haydock. Bandit Country will need to step up on his Newbury victory but Atlantic Roller should be thereabouts if lasting home and Straidnahanna will enjoy the ground. Barafundle makes his chasing debut at the age of 11, however, and Voyage A New York's defeat of Wakanda at Newcastle may have been overestimated.
Salmanazar 10-1 (11-1) Held up and behind, steady headway approaching 11th, 2nd after 14th, ridden to lead before the last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Ballyculla (11-4) by 9l, 8 ran.
Deputy Dan (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, led, mistake 16th, not fluent and headed next, lost 2nd before 3 out, rallied to regain 2nd and went right 2 out, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Ainsi Fideles (11-0) at Ascot 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Barafundle (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear, in rear and weakened from 6 out, last of 6, well behind Closing Ceremony (11-5) at Haydock 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Algernon Pazham (IRE) 9-4 (10-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway before 4 out, kept on to take 2nd run-in, held near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Oscar Fortune (10-6) at Haydock 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Straidnahanna (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led, pushed along before 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Ned Stark (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Top Wood (FR) 3-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, 2nd before 11th until after 14th, chased leading pair, 3rd and held before 4 out, mistake next, finished tired, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Salmanazar (11-1) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Voyage A New York (FR) 10-1 (10-13) In touch, challenged 4 out, led last, pressed run-in, held on towards finish, won at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb beating Wakanda (11-7) by nk, 5 ran.
Bandit Country (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, headway chasing leaders 7th (water), chased leading pair next, 2nd travelling well 4 out, led before 3 out, hit last, hung badly left run-in, stayed on, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Feb beating A Good Skin (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Atlantic Roller (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 5th, not fluent 9th, jumped right 12th, ridden and headed before 2 out where mistake, no impression last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Flaming Charmer (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Audacious Plan (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, went 3rd at 13th, ridden and one pace before 2 out, no chance with front pair when left in clear 2nd at last, 2nd of 5, 18l behind Smart Freddy (11-3) at Doncaster 3m nov chs (4) sft in Jan.
