led, headed 3rd, led again 5th, headed 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway after 4 out, chasing leader when mistake 3 out, one pace
in touch, bumped 4th, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, mistake 7th, headway approaching 3 out, kept on to take 2nd flat
held up, weakening when mistake 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, led 6th, headed and weakened after 4 out
in touch, ridden after 4th, losing place when fell 8th
held up and behind, hampered and unseated rider 8th
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed approaching 5th, mistake 6th, effort after 9th, weakened approaching next, pulled up soon after
held up, always going well, headway after 4 out, chased leaders approaching 3 out, shaken up to lead flat
The 2007 Arkle winner My Way de Solzen has disappointed since his Cheltenham success and was pulled up on his only start this term at Huntingdon in December so Alan King's gelding is hard to back with any confidence despite racing off a fair mark and a safer option looks to be the Paul Nicholls-trained SUPER FORMEN, who is preferred to another Ditcheat runner Hoo La Baloo. The last mentioned has slipped to a winning mark after some below par efforts and he has to be respected under Sam Thomas who rides as he would struggle to do the weight on his stable companion. Richard Lee's Almaydan is not as good as he once was but is still capable of taking a hand in a race of this nature but he seems a shade high in the weights. Miss Mitch was good value for her win at Ascot last time but a 13lb rise for that success makes this more difficult for the Alner's mare. Gary Moore's Heathcote has been running well of late but may prefer a softer surface and preference is for Super Formen. Admittedly he was fortunate to justify short odds when successful at Taunton last month but that was only his second start over fences since joining Paul Nicholls and, with more to come, he looks worth siding with.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 7-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, reminders 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Monet's Garden (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened, 5th of 17, 26l behind Miss Mitch (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led 7th, clear advantage from 12th, ran on, won at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan beating Something Wells (10-10) by 9l, 17 ran.
Almaydan 11-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 6th, 6th of 7, 30l behind Bob Bob Bobbin (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Feb.
Laskari (FR) 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division, blundered 7th and next, driven 11th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Nacarat (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Feb, 20 ran.
Heathcote 9-1 (10-11) Chased leading pair, ridden after 4 out, not pace to get on terms, weakening when mistake last and lost 3rd, last of 4, 23l behind Fix The Rib (10-5) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Super Formen (FR) 8-15fav (10-13) Jumped left, made all, hit 2nd and 7th, hard pressed from 3 out, left 3 length clear last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) sft in Feb beating William Bonney (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 33-1 (10-5) Led until hit 2nd, chased leaders, behind from 7th, mistake 8th, no chance when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Stan (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 5-1 (11-12) Always behind, hit 13th, struggling before 4 out, last of 7, 30l behind Fresh Air And Fun (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Money Order (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear, mistake 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Osako D'airy (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb.
Coach Lane 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 8th, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Leslingtaylor (11-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Feb.
Mr Boo (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased winner throughout, going well 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Felinious (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
