held up in 4th, not fluent 8th and 9th, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, moderate 3rd
tracked leader, every chance 2 out, soon under pressure, weakened flat
made all, strongly challenged 2 out, stayed on well
jumped left throughout, tracked leaders, fell 9th
JOKER CHOKER has won three times over hurdles this year and looked to be on the way back when fourth at Cheltenham last month. Providing his jumping holds up, he should make a winning start to his chase career as today's rivals have a bit to prove at present. Take Of Shoc'S has won between the flags so could do better now tackling fences but Harvest Song still has much to learn about jumping the larger obstacles and Captain Smoothy has already had plenty of chances.
Captain Smoothy 5-1 (11-5) Led until narrowly headed 4th, chased leader until next, weakened 7th, struggling 3 out, behind and pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Jordan (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Harvest Song (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) With leader, hit 7th, pushed along approaching next, weakened before 10th, 4th of 5, 29l behind Current Event (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Joker Choker (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression, 4th of 18, 6l behind Rangitoto (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Take Of Shoc's (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Led until 4 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 9, 42l behind Sydney Paget (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
