tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 13th, headed 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, blundered 2nd, lost place 10th, pushed along next, behind when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led approaching 6th, headed 13th, led again 5 out, ridden and headed after 4 out, kept on, no chance with winner
towards rear, hit 6th and soon pushed along, headway 14th, ridden 4 out, hit next, one paced and 2 out
held up and behind, blundered 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression
held up, in rear, ridden approaching 10th, never dangerous
held up, headway 15th, led after 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, unchallenged
tracked leaders, hit 13th, ridden 4 out, jumped badly right 3 out and 2 out, one paced
led, headed approaching 6th, weakened from 5 out
Echo du Lac was a convincing seven-length winner over course and distance last month and looks sure to take plenty of beating following a fine effort in defeat when a close runner-up at Huntingdon last time. Alan King's charge has gone up a further 3lb since but looks capable of making further progress over fences and is the choice in a tight betting heat. Galant Moss is well treated on his form over timber but has failed to impress over the larger obstacles and can't be backed with confidence after particularly poor effort last time. Nordic Prince can be excused his latest outing after finding trouble in running but, along with Master Of Illusion, may find this an insufficient test of stamina. Lucys Lad isn't the safest of conveyances and is readily opposed so Lisdante, who scored at Carlisle in October and has run well in better company since, may prove the biggest danger to the selection.
