in rear when fell 3rd
always behind, effort 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, blundered 2nd, headway approaching 8th, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, lost place from 5th, behind and pushed along, never dangerous
always towards rear, hit 6th, never dangerous
prominent, lost place approaching 11th, ridden approaching 5 out, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led after last, headed post
mid-division, ridden 5 out, weakened from next
behind, hit 11th, weakened and pulled up before 5 out
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, in 4th and beaten when hit 2 out
led to 3rd, chased leaders, blundered 13th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up approaching 3 out
mid-division, never nearer
held up, towards rear, unseated rider 10th
mid-division, ridden 5 put, headway under pressure approaching 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led 4th, headed 8th, soon behind, pulled up before 5 out
in touch, blundered 11th, weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, led 8t, ridden 5 out, headed after last, hard ridden and rallied to lead post
prominent, led 3rd, headed next, ridden approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching next, weakened last
chased leaders, ridden 12th,k on one-paced from 3 out, no impression
A large turn out for the feature event on the card and, with all but two in the handicap proper, it promises to be one of the most competitive renewals of this prestigious contest in recent times. The weights are headed by the 2000 Scottish National hero Paris Pike who has his sights set on Aintree in April. Ferdy Murphy's charge is reported fit enough to do himself justice but faces a stiffish task on his seasonal reappearance and is passed over on this occasion. There has been plenty of ante-post support for Martin Pipe's Barryscourt Lad who gets in on a low weight and this former hunter is potentially well treated. However, the son of Glacial Storm is yet to win over regulation fences and took a crashing fall last time so looks worth opposing at prohibitive odds. Bold Investor landed back-to-back novice victories in the autumn and was far from disgraced when third in a Grade 1 event on Kempton's Boxing Day meeting. Jonjo O'Neill's charge is unexposed and can progress further but lacks chasing experience and may prove vulnerable under a big weight against battle hardened rivals. Shardam hails from a yard that has won this contest twice during the last decade and has attracted plenty of interest in the market but this recent Fontwell winner has plenty to prove at this level. Robbo and Tonoco both won easily last time out and should go well for each-way backers but the vote goes to Gunner Welburn. The same yard took the honours twelve months ago and can follow up with the son of Gunner B who was an easy winner over this trip at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance in December. The 11-year-old failed to stay when a beaten favourite in the Welsh National on a return visit later in the month but, back over his optimum trip and off a fair mark, the former winning hunter-chaser is the choice to provide rookie handler Andrew Balding with his biggest success to date.
