led, ridden along from 4f out, headed 2f out, stood no chance with winner, lost 2nd approaching final furlong, weakened and just held on for 3rd
mid-division to rear, headway and just in touch 5f out, one pace and no impression final 3f
always behind, ridden 6f out, soon tailed off
held up towards rear, headway and ran green 3f out, stayed on to take 2nd approaching final furlong, no chance with winner
close up going well, went 2nd 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, pushed clear over 1f out
chased leaders, reminders halfway, weakened over 2f out
chased leader until ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out
mid-division, weakened and virtually pulled up final 3f
took keen hold in mid-division, weakened and eased final 3f
behind, no chance final 3f
held up in rear, steady headway from 3f out, kept on steadily final 2f
There Is No Doubt has done nothing wrong so far but the combination of a longer trip, stiffer opposition and a double penalty is enough to look elsewhere and preference is for Ice Bucket, who is preferred to some interesting newcomers including Killer Cat and Star Diver. The selection showed plenty of promise on his debut at Taunton and would not need to improve a great deal on the form shown that day to win this. Martin Pipe's Killer Cat obviously has to be respected but has a dirt pedigree and is far from certain to stay this trip. Nigel Twiston-Davies has done well with his runners in bumpers this term so Royal Coburg, a son of Old Vic, has to go on the short list along with Noel Chance's Mendo. Francois Doumen's runners always warrant respect and Star Diver, a son of Starborough, is no exception. The five-year-old is another one of the newcomers worth keeping an eye on in the market along with the likes of Henry Daly's Principe Azzurro and Henrietta Knight's Alto Fico. The vote though goes to the latter's stable companion Ice Bucket, who may have the necessary improvement in him to win this.
There Is No Doubt (FR) 7-2 Pulled hard, made all, pushed clear final 2f, unchallenged, won at Towcester 1m 5f nhf (H) gd in Dec beating Giovanna by 9l, 13 ran.
Acacia Avenue (IRE) won at Wexford Points 3m ire ptp hvy in Oct beating JohnJoe by a nk, 13 ran.
Alto Fico (IRE) Un Desperado gelding out of Barberstown's Last.
Ballistigo (IRE) 10-1 Held up in mid-division, kept on steadily final 2f but not troubled leaders, 5th of 18, 15l behind Hobbs Hill at Kempton 2m nhf (H) gd in Jan.
Dunsfold Duke Cloudings gelding out of prolific winning jumper Rositary.
Durnovaria (IRE) Fourstars Allstar gelding, half-brother to three winning jumpers.
Mendo Alderbrook gelding, half-brother to winning jumpers Ardrina and Our Tommy.
Royal Coburg (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of Honeyed.
See Me 33-1 Tracked leaders, lost place 7f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 9, 12l behind It's In The Stars at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) hvy in Jan.
Star Diver (FR) Starborough gelding, half-brother to flat and hurdles winner Shadow Dancer.
Villa Mara (IRE) Alflora gelding out of winning hurdler Claudia Electric.
Cadtauri (FR) 6-1 Always behind, 12th of 14, 36l behind Wishin And Hopin at Exeter 1m 5f 4yo nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Killer Cat (FR) Lost World gelding, brother to winning hurdler Fighter Cat.
Nautic (FR) 50-1 Always behind, 13th of 14, 27l behind Creinch at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (H) gs in Jan.
Principe Azzurro (FR) Pistolet Bleu gelding, half-brother to Forges Gold, a winner on the Flat and over hurdles.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 4-1 Held up in touch, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Little Saltee at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) sft in Jan.
