made all, drew clear from 3 out, eased towards finish
jumped left and mistake 3rd, soon detached, pulled up after 3rd
held up behind leaders, ridden and weakened 13th
held up behind leaders, ridden to chase winner 4 out, no impression after 4 our, hit 2 out
chased winner to 5th, remained prominent, dropped to last 11th, soon struggling
prominent, chased winner 5th until 4 out weakened 3 out, mistake last
The Gangerman has the ability to win this at the expense of Back On Line and Top Cloud. The selection has been knocking on the door of late finishing second in each of his last two races. He caught the eye when second to Huka Lodge at Haydock last time out and if repeating that performance he can end his two year drought. Back On Line has been on fire this season winning two from three. He won around here over much shorter in November and at Chepstow last month. He is a heavy ground specialist and although the ground has dried out in the past week or so there should be enough cut in the ground to help his chances. On a less positive note he has continued to rise in the weights as a result of his success. Top Cloud ran with credit in a handicap last time out and has some fair form to his name. He still looks potentially well handicapped so is worth noting in the market. But for the winner we return to The Gangerman.
Back On Line (IRE) 15-8fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 10th, ridden after 5 out, left in lead 3 out, all out, won at Chepstow 3m mrs nov chs (4) hvy in Jan beating Countess Trifaldi (11-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Monteforte 12-1 (11-2) Led to 4th, soon dropped to rear, struggling when slow jump 13th, tailed of, 6th of 7, well behind Always Waining (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Top Cloud (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, joined leader 11th, ridden next, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Minster Shadow (11-0) at Newcastle 3m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
The Gangerman (IRE) 2-1fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, soon ridden, headed flat, rallied towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Huka Lodge (10-8) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 5 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 9, 39l behind Huka Lodge (10-8) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
What A Scientist (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Soon behind, stumbled badly 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Macmar (11-12) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Firth Of Forth (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Kings Euro (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
