tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on until headed, no extra flat
led, mistake and headed 3rd, remained in touch, ridden and lost place after 5 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead again flat
held up, headway and in touch 5 out, outpaced 3 out, kept on from last, no impression
held up, chased leaders 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened last
held up in touch, headway to challenge 4 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and no extra approaching last
Nonrunner
Haut De Gamme is certainly on a fair mark if putting it all in, however we will side with Coat Of Honour ahead of Wain Mountain. The last-named won well at Chepstow in December, however he appears to have struggled since off his revised mark and looks opposable today. The selection represents a stable coming back into a bit of form and must be the call despite a 4lb raise for finishing second last time out. That was a game effort and the form looks rock solid so with today's ground to suit, he gets the nomination. St Matthew is reliable over hurdles and today's bigger obstacle, and he is now back on a winning mark so looks a threat. His able jockey is able to ease the burden further, however we will stick with Coat Of Honour to defy top-weight and lead them all home.
Coat of Honour (USA) 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Calatagan (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Wain Mountain 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 4 out, no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Roman Ark (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
St Matthew (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Led until after 1st, remained prominent until weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 10, 18l behind United (10-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Haut de Gamme (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Always behind, hit 6th, jumped slowly 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Jimmy Bond (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Green Ideal 16-1 (11-10) Held up, outpaced when hit 11th, behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Silver Jack (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Guilt 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 11th, pecked 5 out, soon weakened, mistake 4 out, 9th of 14, well behind Nadover (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Fair Prospect 5-1jt-fav (10-2) Held up and mistakes, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by State of Play (10-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
