with leader until 8th, soon driven along, faded from 11th, behind, pulled up before 4 out
held up behind, good headway 11th, led 12th, went right 3 out, not fluent left, stayed on well, pushed out
led until 11th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out
held up, ridden, brief effort after 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, fell 3 out
tracked leaders, led 11th until blundered, headed next, chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 5th, pushed along when blundered badly 4 out, no chance after
in touch, headway 11th, ridden to challenge when hampered 3 out, kept on same pace from next
East Lawyer, Benrajah and Castlemore are the three to concentrate on in this handicap chase and the vote is given to Benrajah. The selection was pulled-up at Ludlow last time and he had previously been well-beaten in a better race than this at Catterick. However, this drop in trip should suit and if he can reproduce his effort at Catterick three runs ago behind Prince Of Slane then he should take plenty of stopping. East Lawyer is not the most reliable and that was illustrated by his below-par effort at Wincanton last time. He is also best with some cut in the ground so for those reasons we will oppose him. Castlemore was travelling well when falling on this track last time so he has got obvious claims if he can put in a clear round of jumping tonight. Team Tassell has the assistance of AP McCoy and is not one to rule out lightly, even if he is not the most reliable. However, for the winner we are happy to return to Benrajah.
Team Tassel (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, reminders after 3rd, lost touch 7th pulled up at the 9th in race won by First Love (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Glacial Delight (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Always behind, mistake 15th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 21 ran.
Benrajah (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost place after 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bob The Builder (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Feb, 12 ran.
Keltic Lord 9-1 (11-10) Held up, ridden 16th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mini Dare (10-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Ede'iff 9-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 12th, hit 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 10, 21l behind Dante Citizen (11-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Castlemore (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, 3rd, held when fell at the last in race won by Glacial Delight (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Nov, 10 ran.
Menphis Beury (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway 14th, hampered 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Nykel (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
East Lawyer (FR) 11-4 (11-6) Always in rear, 4th of 7, 28l behind Spectrometer (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
