jumped left, made most, slow jump 1st, ridden along from 12th, went badly left and mistake 4 out, hard pressed from next, headed near finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, challenging when mistake and stumbled badly 3 out, soon ridden, rallied approaching last, led near finish
tracked leader, pecked 8th, hit 9th, weakened quickly after next, pulled up before 11th
chased leaders until lost touch from 12th
A disappointing small field of four will contest this, and it looks to be a straight shoot out between BIG FELLA THANKS and Itsa Legend, with Jethro Wheeler and Killing Me Softly making up the numbers. Paul Nicholls' gelding was second in a better race at Cheltenham last month, and in time could be contesting at a higher level. He drops down in trip, having previously raced exclusively over 3 miles. They're putting blinkers on for the first time, to eke out further improvement. He's likely to be a very short price, so there may be some value about Itsa Legend. Alan King's runner is making his seasonal reappearance, so may need the run. We know he can jump over hurdles, but this is his chase debut. The ground shouldn't be a concern for either of those. Of the two other runners, neither makes any appeal. Jethro Wheeler's making his debut over the bigger fences, but hasn't been placed in eight previous runs in bumpers and over hurdles. Killing Me Softly hasn't won for over three years, and although once rated 120 over hurdles, his best days are surely behind him. Two are likely to dominate in the market, and in the race, and we'll side with Big Fella Thanks.
Big Fella Thanks 11-8fav (10-13) Raced wide, prominent, mistake 14th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and hung left from next and soon no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Ballyfitz (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov.
Itsa Legend 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, reminder 6th, headway next, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 46l behind Fresh Winter (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar.
Jethro Wheeler 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place before 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Lake Legend (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Killing Me Softly 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 28l behind Furze Hill (10-6) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
