held up towards rear, fell 2nd
held up last, hit 3rd, mistake 8th, ridden after 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, no extra
led to 2nd, ridden after 3 out, left in lead 2 out and switched sharply left to avoid fallen horse, hard ridden and hung badly left flat, headed close home
prominent, blundered 4 out, soon behind, mistake 3 out, effort and left 2nd 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to lead close home
chased leader, led 2nd, quickened approaching 3 out, soon ridden, in command when fell 2 out
The short listed three are Jarro, Adecco and Norseman Cateline, with the vote going to Jarro. Quite simply, Jarro appears to be on a fair mark and, coming into this on the back of a good second to Butler's Cabin, his fitness can see him go well today. Adecco has shown on more than one occasion that his mark looks fair. He would have finished closer at Huntingdon last time but for a late blunder and, while these fences are pretty unforgiving, he holds a respectable chance on balance. Norseman Cateline has run well on each of last two starts from his current mark and rates as a possible again, while Semi Precious needs to turn the clock back a couple of years if he is to feature, although he is wearing first-time blinkers, and James Victor can be given a chance based on his Newton Abbot win of June 2005, given that he now races from a mark that is three pounds below that rating. Overall, though, the vote stays with Jarro.
Jarro (FR) 7-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden to lead 2 out, headed soon after and weakened, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Butler's Cabin (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Adecco (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up, ridden 12th, chased winner 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Clouding Over (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Mar.
James Victor (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Prominent, chased leader 12th, ridden and mistake 3 out, behind when fell 2 out in race won by Eljay's Boy (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) frm, 8 ran.
Semi Precious (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, staying on when fell at the last in race won by Free Gift (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Norseman Cateline (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) Prominent, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Taksina (10-9) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-88 (5) gs.
