behind, blundered 6th, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
made most, headed 3 out, outpaced by winner and no chance from next
pressed until blundered 6th, weakened next, pulled up after 10th
soon in touch, tracked leading pair 11th, led 3 out, in command and stayed on well from next
tracked leaders to 11th, weakened quickly from next
prominent, tracked leader from 6th until weakened 3 out
in touch, mistake 2nd, hit 6th, blundered 9th, kept on one pace from 3 out to take modest 3rd last
in rear, some headway 9th, weakened and pulled up before 12th
behind, blundered 7th, some headway next, behind from 11th, tailed off
It is very hard to ignore Cape Stormer in the finale, but a big danger is the logical form choice, Satchmo, with possibly Masalarian looking best of the others. A five-time winner under Rules and in hunter chases, the former Paul Nicholls-trained selection is holding his form well based on his second to Bohemian Spirit at Cheltenham 21 days ago. That equates to a mark of around the 120 mark, which sets a pretty high standard for most of the others to aim at at this level. Buckland Lad won this race last year and connections will, no doubt, have had this race in mind again. Many of the others have a bit to find on the overall level of their form, although Masalarian has form enough from his native Ireland within the last year to play a leading part here, although he disappointed on his British hunter-chase debut. However, he has to be considered tonight, along with Satchmo, who rates a huge danger to the selection following his fourth in the Aintree Fox Hunters¿ Chase last time. In fairness, he sets the mark for the others to aim at but the selection, Cape Stormer, might just be up to the task.
