tracked leaders early, steadied into mid-division approaching 5th, mistakes 10th and 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 14th
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly to lead flat, ridden out
raced in rear, headway after 5 out, under pressure 3 out, soon no impression
in touch, chased leader after 4th, mistake 16th, not fluent 5 out, soon pushed along, weakened next
behind, headway before 4 out, soon under pressure, never on terms
mid-division, slow 6th, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace
chased leaders, mistake 17th, soon lost place
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, no extra
held up in rear, jumped left throughout, headway 12th, soon mid-division, lost place 15th
led, not fluent 10th, strongly challenged 2 out, hard ridden when headed after last, kept on
chased leaders, lost place before 5 out, soon behind, pulled up 3 out
You could argue that Blazing Bailey is still well handicapped on the pick of his hurdles form, despite having been put up 13lb after a comfortable Cheltenham win. Alan King's gelding is a leading contender here as is Maktu, who probably raced a little too freely when fifth in the Welsh National last time. Theatre Dance couldn't land a gamble at Wincanton last month but appears to be coming back to his best, while Triggerman stays well and would win more races if he could sort out his jumping. But the interesting one here may be ADAMS ISLAND, who jumps well for a novice and had too much for subsequent easy winner Mostly Bob at Doncaster last month. The extra here should suit and regular pilot Aodhagan Conlon's claim will aid his cause further.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened 2 out, 8th of 15, 14l behind Silmi (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Blazing Bailey 11-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, led before last, soon clear, readily, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan beating Richard's Sundance (11-3) by 11l, 17 ran.
Character Building (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, hampered 12th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened flat, 5th of 17, 21l behind Blazing Bailey (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Adams Island (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Made virtually all, not fluent 10th, ridden before 4 out, kept on, driven out, won at Doncaster 3m nov chs (3) gd in Jan beating Mostly Bob (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Maktu 9-2fav (10-3) Tracked leaders on outer and keen, took closer order 5th, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 18, 24l behind Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Jan.
I'moncloudnine (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Prominent, hit 3rd, ridden and in 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 18, 12l behind Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Jan.
Ballyfitz 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden before 4 out, hit next, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 18, 12l behind Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Jan.
Triggerman 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, in touch from 4th, hampered and lost place 17th, rallied after 4 out, 4th and staying on when fell 3 out, in a race won by Cornish Sett (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 5-1fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd when jumped left and bumped 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Cornish Sett (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Minella Four Star (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Led, blundered 6th, headed 8th, led 12th, ridden after 3 out, 4th of 18, 3l behind Ouzbeck (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gf in Jun.
Dom d'Orgeval (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Always in last trio, struggling 9th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Ballycarney (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Oct.
