led until 2nd, led again 6th, headed 3 out, rallied approaching last, no extra flat
held up in rear when fell 6th
in touch, chased leaders 6th, led 3 out, ran on
held up towards rear, slow 8th, headway 4 out, soon ridden to chase leaders, weakened before last
held up in touch, headway 6th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, struggling before 5th, always behind
held up mid-division, headway before 7th, weakened 3 out
Gods Token, Le Burf, and Glinton make the shortlist here with Gods Token the selection to make up for a mishap last time. A hurdle winner at Wincanton in January, Le Burf was in the process of running a fine race when blundering at the second last at Kempton. He nonetheless kept on well to take second and can reach the frame here. Glinton ran up a hat trick of wins over hurdles at the turn of the year but has been out of form recently. He was well beaten on his first outing over fences and though improvement can be expected, he is taken on. Runner up in a classy handicap hurdle at this year's Grand National meeting, God's Token was in the process of giving the useful Pur de Sivola a run for his money at Wincanton before coming to grief at the third from home. That was his first outing over fences, and Venetia Williams is sure to have schooled him well since. God's Token is a confident choice.
Glinton 33-1 (10-12) Led, hard driven and headed 2 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 14, 13l behind Mon Michel (10-4) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft.
Gods Token 9-4 (11-0) Prominent, ridden and headway to chase leaders after 4 out, close 2nd when fell 3 out in race won by Pur De Sivola (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) sft, 5 ran.
Le Burf (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Mistakes in rear, blundered 8th, headway 3 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, no impression after, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Boomshakalaka (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 33-1 (10-2) Behind, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 13, 18l behind Ring The Boss (10-0) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, jumped left and rider lost iron briefly 3rd, behind from 7th, 8th of 10, 28l behind Razor Royale (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Supercilious (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Led to 4th, soon ridden and lost touch, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Tavalu (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Jun.
Supreme Leisure (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Never near leaders, 10th of 14, well behind Deep Reflection (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
The Thunderer 40-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up in race won by Benetwood (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) gs, 9 ran.
