held up last, headway 14th and chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, weakened 15th, pulled up before 4 out
led to 11th, led 13th to 15th, effort approaching 2 out, no extra
chased leader, led 11th to 13th, led 15th, driven out from last
held up mid-division, headway 13th, chased winner 3 out, ran on well flat, not reach winner
held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, mistake 3 out, one pace
mid-division, ridden 11th and lost touch, no impression
prominent, chased leaders 5th, ridden 14th, weakened 4 out
prominent, ridden 13th, weakened 4 out
chased leader, ridden and weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
In what should be a close tussle between Levallois and Brave Spirit, the latter gets the vote, with Yann's and Ojays Alibi expected to make their presence felt without being good enough. Brave Spirit has been in terrific form this season, notching up four wins from his last five starts, including a hard-fought victory over Levallois in Fontwell's Southern National on New Year's Day. He actually meets the runner-up on two-pound worse terms for that neck victory, but even an eight-pound rise for that success may not stop him in his current mood. Trainer Colin Tizzard has somehow found the key to the seven-year-old who appears to have somehow turned into a real battler and that will stand him in good stead as Philip Hide once again prepares to throw the kitchen sink at him. Levallois is going the right way, but even on today's terms will not find it easy to get past the selection. Yann's carries a seven-pound penalty for a comfortable success here last time but the step up in grade will be a negative, while Ojays Alibi also has more to do than when winning a novice chase at Uttoxeter. All in all, in what should be another tremendous battle between the front two in the market, it is Brave Spirit who is taken to once again come out on top.
