led, clear before 7th, ridden 2 out, clear and ridden approaching last where jump left, headed early flat, kept on one pace
behind, blundered 10th, pulled up before 12th
in touch, under pressure 13th and soon behind
close up, mistake 4th, ridden and hit 13th, soon beaten
held up in rear, ridden and beaten 4 out
in touch, badly outpaced 10th, headway from 4 out, chasing leaders when hit 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden and stayed on approaching last, led early flat, driven out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from next, jumped left last
in touch, headway to chase leaders 13th, driven approaching next, weakening when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, driven 8th, soon well behind
jumped left throughout, chased clear leader to 2 out, soon outpaced, jumped left last
behind, blundered 4th, ridden next, well behind when pulled up before 8th
Nonrunner
The Outlier won well last time and gets the vote again here with Shining Strand and Quid Pro Quo the pair put forward to chase him home. The selection is in cracking form and although he is a nine-year-old he remains relatively lightly-raced. He won well last time when beating Terivic at Towcester and although he has a penalty for that success he looks to be going the right way and he is taken to complete the hat-trick. Shining Strand would have won at Huntingdon last time had he not run-out and he has got obvious claims if he runs up to his best. However, he is full of quirks and he can never be backed with any confidence, a point illustrated by trainer Nicky Henderson who described him as being 'wild'. Quid Pro Quo finished second behind Cruising River at Taunton last time but he may have been flattered by his proximity to the winner that day who seemed to win with a little in hand. Balladeer would have decent claims if he could get round but his track record on that score is far from impressive. He's The Gaffer is in good form and is the other with decent claims, but in a competitive race we will return to The Outlier as our idea of the winner.
Shining Strand 5-2fav (11-2) Pulled hard, led, clear 4th, mistake 9th, tried to run out and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Cruising River (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Balladeer (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, keen, headway 3rd, hampered 10th, blundered and lost place 13th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Harris Bay (10-10) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
The Outlier (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up, mistake 1st, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, hung left flat, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Terivic (11-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
Quid Pro Quo (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Chased leader, led 7th to 8th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on well from last, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cruising River (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd in Dec.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 14-1 (9-13) In touch, effort under pressure from 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 19, 16l behind Verasi (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) hvy in Dec.
Von Origny (FR) 2-1fav (10-7) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 11th, ridden 12th, headway to chase leader approaching 4 out, staying on when fell 2 out in race won by Simon (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Lord Dundaniel (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Pressed leader, led 7th until 11th, chased leader until weakened before last, 4th of 10, 6l behind Va Vavoom (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (E) gs in Dec.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-1) Held up, headway 8th, led after 3 out, soon in command, hit last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb beating Matthew Muroto (11-2) by 9l, 6 ran.
Wakeup Smiling (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mistake 11th, always behind, 11th of 16, 46l behind Rubberdubber (11-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Lubinas (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, mistake 2nd and 12th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 11l behind Runner Bean (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Simple Glory (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 7th, lost place next, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Viciana (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Feb.
Miss Shakira (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway when hit 13th, weakened after 15th, 4th of 8, 25l behind Fin Bec (10-9) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jan.
