Bannister Lane showed improved form when successful at Uttoxeter under testing conditions last month and has to be respected but only two runners finished in that contest and a 14lb rise since leaves Don McCain's gelding with more to do so a safer bet may be Even More who gets the vote ahead of Gray's Eulogy. The last mentioned was going well when falling at Huntingdon last time and, if none the worse for that effort and able to handle the step up in trip, he has claims. Like A Bee clearly stays and should not mind the ground but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding may be a shade high in the weights at present, while Finzi is strictly held by Bannister Lane on running last time. Victory Gunner would have claims on the pick of his form but is inconsistent, while Charlies Future could be of interest but is unproven over trip. The distance should not be a problem for stablemate Even More and Robert Alner's relentless galloper should be hard to beat.
Even More (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leader, led 3rd, ridden 4 out, kept on well, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Wizard of Edge (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Earl's Kitchen 12-1 (11-9) Led 2nd to 5th, remained prominent, weakened and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Bannister Lane (10-2) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway 15th, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 14, 20l behind Bang And Blame (10-6) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Charlies Future 3-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, rallied gamely flat, held close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Howrwenow (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Bannister Lane 6-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, niggled along 6th, lost place 9th, headway approaching 14th, led 3 out, ridden clear from 2 out, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb beating Finzi (9-7) by a distance, 7 ran.
Iris De Balme (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, hampered 12th, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 8, 29l behind Back For The Craic (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
Like A Bee (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 16th, effort to chase clear pair after 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Bang And Blame (10-6) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Hazeljack 25-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden 4 out, disputing 5th but weakening when blundered badly 2 out, 7th of 10, 30l behind Zimbabwe (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
On Y Va (FR) 9-1 (10-9) Held up, blundered 1st, struggling when mistake 12th, well behind when mistake 14th, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 17l behind Zimbabwe (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Gray's Eulogy 7-2fav (10-3) Led 1st, headed next, chased winner after, 6 lengths down when fell at the 7th in race won by Its Crucial (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Finzi (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Led to 2nd, led 5th to 8th, ridden 13th, weakened 4 out, 2nd of 7, well behind Bannister Lane (10-2) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb.
