in touch, effort on outside 3 out, challenged next, driven to lead approaching last, ridden and headed flat, no extra
disputed lead until fell 1st
mid-division, outpaced 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up mid-division on outside, smooth headway after 3 out, challenged last, led flat, pushed out
mid-division on inside, headway 4 out, driven and outpaced after next, weakened from 2 out
tracked leader, lost place 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
hampered 1st, in touch, mistake 7th, hit 5 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
mistake 1st, tracked leaders, mistake 5th, led 7th, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last
in rear, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
behind, mistake 5th, hit 5 out, outpaced next, never on terms
close up on outside, disputed lead 7th, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, stayed on under presure to go 3rd flat, no impression
mistake and hampered 1st, headway into mid-division 7th, chased leaders 3 out, effort next, stayed on to dispute 3rd flat, no impression
left in lead 1st, headed 7th, tracked leaders, mistake next, outpaced 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off
It's Like That wasn't beaten far at Haydock last month but has gone back up in the weights again, though is still preferred to stablemate Valley View who has a bit to prove at present. Crystal Prince was beaten off a lower mark at Fontwell last month while Smokey George is making his debut over the larger obstacles and may need the experience. Noble Witness was put up 8lb after springing a surprise over C&D earlier this month but is lightly raced under Rules and could be capable of better, though we still prefer EPEE CELESTE. Willie Twiston-Davies' claim more than makes up for the 5lb he was put up after finishing a close second at Exeter and a similar performance should suffice here.
It's Like That (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, blundered 5th, headway approaching 9th, close 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon edged left, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Work Boy (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Playing With Fire (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, hit 12th, pushed along before 3 out, joined when stumbled badly and headed 2 out, soon no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Way Back When (11-4) at Hereford 2m 5f mares hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Star of Germany (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Led at strong pace and clear with one rival, headed 4th, led again next, reduced lead and headed approaching 7th, stayed in well held 3rd after, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Dean's Grange (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.
Valley View (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 9th, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 7, 45l behind Mister Wiseman (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Relax (FR) (10-7) 98th of 12, well behind Rubis D'albain (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 4f 5yo chs sft in Jun '10.
Noble Witness (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led after 7th, headed next, 3rd and ridden approaching 2 out, went 4 lengths 2nd last, led flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd beating Reg's Ruby (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Smokey George 7-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Well Hello There (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct, 14 ran.
Brimham Boy 10-3 (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 6th, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 14l behind Mister Wiseman (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Total Victory (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, hampered 11th, mistake 13th, went well held 3rd after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Roseneath (11-6) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Might As Well 11-4 (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, went 2nd after 17th, driven before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, blundered, rider lost iron and narrowly headed last, rallied gamely to lead again last strides, won at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct '10 beating Von Galen (11-2) by hd, 5 ran.
Epee Celeste (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, every chance when bumped last, stayed on but held flat, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind The Donserelli (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft.
Crystal Prince 11-4fav (11-10) Held up in 4th, hit 4th, closer order 9th, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on again to 3rd 3 out, chased winner 2 out, switched right before last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Tenzing (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Oct.
Devils River (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) With leader until 7th, ridden next, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, 40l behind Baseball Ted (11-10) at Leicester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
