mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway 12th, led after 3 out, challenged last, kept on well under pressure
led until 2nd, chased clear leader, outpaced 14th, headway when mistake last, stayed on strongly
held up mid-division, lost place 4th, headway approaching 2 out, kept on, never able to challenge
behind when fell 2nd
tracked leaders, lost place 15th, behind when pulled up 2 out
track leader, led 2nd, soon clear, headed 13th, soon under pressure, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden and effort, weakened next
held up, headway 4 out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance when not fluent last, no extra flat
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened after 2 out
behind, headway 5th, progress to join leaders next, led 13th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, effort 13th, soon under pressure and weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out
always behind, under pressure 10th, pulled up soon after
held up in touch, ridden and effort 15th, weakening when blundered badly 2 out, stayed on after
mid-division, lost place 12th, soon beaten
mid-division, under pressure 12th, soon behind
Gungadu can defy the rise in the weights to land this contest; he may have most to fear from Simon and Ungaro although Dream Alliance could be a big danger if the blinkers have the same effect as last time. Course form is a big positive here which is a negative for the selection but a big plus for Simon, who won last year's renewal, and Ungaro, who won a Feltham here. However, he should act on the track and he comes here on the back of a most impressive performance at Sandown, runner-up Burntoakboy is weighted to reverse the form but Gungadu appeared to scoer with something in hand. Simon is only 8lbs higher than when winning last year and appears to be coming into the race in decent form whilst it's hard to find fault with Ungaro's performances over fences. Dream Alliance has claims but there are too many holes in his form for my liking whilst it's not difficult to knock the likes of Bagan, Wee Robbie, Palarshan and Kelami who could be put forwards as each-way alternatives. The selection jumped as well as he ever has last time and his jumping will be crucial to his chances here, he's an uncomplicated ride who stays well and looks progressive. He has a favourite's chance and Gungadu can reward favourite backers.
Gungadu 5-2fav (11-5) In touch, hit 17th, led after 19th, stayed on, driven out, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft beating Burntoakboy (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Simon 11-2 (11-6) Tracking leaders when blundered and unseated rider at the 14th in race won by Knowhere (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Le Volfoni (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 14, 22l behind Vodka Bleu (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan.
Ungaro (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway 12th, led 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 20, 1/2l behind An Accordion (10-3) at Doncaster 3m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jan.
Iron Man (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, hard ridden 3 out, weakened before next, last of 5, 40l behind Jack The Giant (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f chs (2) gs in Jan.
Dream Alliance 2-1fav (11-7) Chased leader, led 3rd, blundered 12th, ridden approaching 4 out, 5 lengths clear and under pressure when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Crystal d'Ainay (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f Grad Ch (2) gs, 10 ran.
Palarshan (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 12th, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from last, 5th of 16, 8l behind Tamarinbleu (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec.
Kelami (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 12th, close up and travelling well when fell 14th fell at the 15th in race won by Gungadu (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft, 11 ran.
Black Hills 33-1 (10-12) Held up, behind 10th, blundered 4 out, 9th of 16, 43l behind Tamarinbleu (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec.
Ardaghey (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Always in rear, struggling 14th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Vodka Bleu (10-3) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gf in Dec, 13 ran.
Wee Robbie 3-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until not fluent 8th, raillied next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Silverburn (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (1) sft.
Bagan (FR) 3-1jt-fav (10-9) Held up in touch, led approaching 11th, steadily drew clear form 4 out, eased towards finish, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs beating Roman Ark (11-11) by 12l, 7 ran.
Yardbird (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Prominent, went 2nd approaching 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 20, 21l behind An Accordion (10-3) at Doncaster 3m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jan.
Burntoakboy 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, close 2nd when hit last kept on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Gungadu (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft.
Herecomestanley 11-4 (11-1) Held up, went 3rd after 7th, ridden next, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 6, 30l behind Tino Tino (9-11) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
