mid-division, driven 12th, effort under pressure 4 out, no impression from next
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
jumped left, led, ridden and hit 4 out, headed next, soon beaten
behind, effort 3 out, weakened next
lost place 3rd, soon behind
not fluent, always behind
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, effort when hit next, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 5 out, weakened next
chased leaders, lost place halfway, weakened 10th, pulled up before next
behind, headway and mid-division 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 11th, effort 3 out, chased winner next, one pace and lost 2nd near finish
in touch, headway 11th, led 3 out, edged right and stayed on well flat
tracked leader, lost place 12th, soon behind
held up, hampered 6th, ridden 12th, effort 4 out, soon weakened
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
not fluent in touch, headway 10th, hit next, outpaced 13th, jumped right 4 out, ridden and kept on to go 2nd near finish
This looks a competitive and wide open chase but Ile de Paris has been in fine form of late and can take this at the expense of Super Road Train and Chickapeakray. The selection should win more races than he has but he has caught the eye on a few occasions of late. A good second to Ballfitz at Chepstow on Welsh National day he followed that up with a fine display of jumping at Warwick when second to Iwillrememberyou. He was then not totally discredited when finishing third here over an extended three miles so if repeating that form he has to be put on the short list. Super Road Train is a course specialist winning twice at this track this jumps season. He has though risen 25 pounds in the weights as a result of his winning ways. He did look good when winning here last time but the question is whether or not the 9 extra pounds will take its toll. Chickapeakray on the other hand comes from a yard bang in form and has slipped down the weights to what looks like a winnable mark. He is 3 pounds higher for finishing second to Himalayan Trail at Bangor last time which looks fair so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Ile de Paris.
Pass Me By 12-1 (11-5) Never dangerous, driven from 10th, 7th of 9, 44l behind Iris De Balme (10-5) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
King Killone (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, effort 5 out, ridden and weakened from next, 7th of 18, well behind Comply Or Die (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Bannister Lane 7-1 (10-9) Still in touch, led 12th, blundered and headed next, chased leaders until weakened 5 out, tailed off, 9th of 18, well behind Comply Or Die (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Master Sebastian 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace approaching next, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Rayshan (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Another Rum (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Led, headed after 12th, outpaced 3 out, rallied last, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Merigo (10-2) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Rebel Rhythm 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden and outpaced 5 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Merigo (10-2) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Gypsy George 11-2 (11-0) Chased leader, led 7th, stayed on well approaching last, won at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) hvy beating Lockstockandbarrel (11-0) by 7l, 6 ran.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Led to 8th, chased winner until 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 23l behind Undeniable (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) In touch, lost place after 8th, 8th of 16, 50l behind Miko de Beauchene (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Chickapeakray 8-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Himalayan Trail (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Ile de Paris (FR) 7-2 (11-10) In touch, headway when blundered 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Master Sebastian (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Star Player (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged 11th, led approaching 4 out, clear 2 out, ridden and stayed on well approaching last, won at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Scrappie (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chased winner to 5th, remained prominent, dropped rear 11th, soon struggling, 4th of 6, well behind Back On Line (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Getinbybutonlyjust 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along 14th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 6, 20l behind Undeniable (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Waking Ned (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until 6th, towards rear, weakened after 16th, 4th of 11, 42l behind Obaki de Grissay (10-11) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Merigo (FR) 9-2 (10-2) Chased leaders, led 4 out, clear from 3 out, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy beating Another Rum (11-10) by 10l, 6 ran.
Super Road Train 15-2 (11-3) In touch, led after 5 out, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft beating Laertes (11-10) by 6l, 11 ran.
