led, headed 3 out, every chance when blundered next, ridden and one pace approaching last
raced keenly and soon in touch, outpaced 8th, weakened quickly next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
keen early, held up, struggling 5 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, steady headway 3 out, led last, ridden out
always behind, tailed off 4 out
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on to chase winner flat
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, headway to lead 3 out, headed last, ridden and one pace flat
There are slight stamina doubts about Primus Inter Pares on testing ground and so we will instead plump for Captain Murphy at a price, ahead of Filey Flyer. The selection was 34 lengths clear when falling last time out with only 5 fences left to jump and under similar forcing tactics today he could be hard to peg back. He was still going well on that last run and with this partnership of Charlton and Faltejsek successful with front-running Bywell Beau in recent weeks, he gets the nod. Primus Inter Pares jumped well in the main on his chase debut in early February, however this ground won't be ideal and he is passed over, along with Filey Flyer. She fell last time out over course and distance when still in contention and whilst she must rate a danger on her third behind Lennon on chase debut, she is taken on today as she may prefer further in time. Sparkling Taff has claims if putting in a clear round, however for the winner we will return to George Charlton's Captain Murphy to put them all to the sword.
Ballinruane (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) With leader, led 2nd, hit and headed 5th, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 6, 26l behind Aviation (10-9) at Catterick 2m nov chs (4) gd in Feb.
Captain Murphy (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Led 2nd and soon clear, well clear when fell at the 10th in race won by Dom d'Orgeval (11-8) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Feb, 5 ran.
Colonel James (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Top Dressing (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 11 ran.
Primus Inter Pares (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent, went modest 3rd after 4 out, ridden and hung left approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Aviation (10-9) at Catterick 2m nov chs (4) gd in Feb.
Run Atim 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Some Touch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Sparkling Taff 20-1 (11-1) Prominent when fell 5 out in race won by Barton Sun (10-5) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Filey Flyer 8-1 (11-10) Chased leader, 2 lengths down in 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by High Calibre (11-13) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
