Tullamore Dew was a decent performer over the smaller obstacles and won easily on his chasing debut at Fontwell last month, despite pulling for his head throughout. He is capable of the odd below-par performance, however, and preference in this is for RACKHAM LEROUGE. Nicky Henderson's charge, a half-brother to the stable's smart stayer Punchestowns, won three bumpers in his native France last year and got off the mark over hurdles at Bangor in February. Sure to have been well schooled over fences, he gets 7lb from the three previous winners in the race and has more scope than Exeter runner-up Carrickboy and the versatile Sarando.
Potemkin (USA) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, chased leader after 9th, mistake 4 out, led next, soon driven, stayed on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Chain Of Command (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Quell The Storm (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent 1st or 2nd, ridden when slipped bend approaching 4 out, soon headed, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 30l behind William's Wishes (11-7) at Leicester 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 1-5fav (11-1) Made all, took keen hold early, clear approaching 3 out, eased after last, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Zhukov (10-10) by 23l, 4 ran.
Carrickboy (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 4th, no impression after 8th, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 22l behind Royal Charm (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Or Sing About (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Jumped left, chased leaders, ridden and every chance after 9th, beaten when hit 3 out, 8th of 16, 32l behind Sheshali (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May '09.
Rackham Lerouge (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Always prominent, went 2nd approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, led and edged left before last, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb beating My Shamwari (11-8) by 3l, 13 ran.
Sarando 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, behind 6th, never in contention, 7th of 13, 17l behind Mcmurrough (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Apr.
