chased leaders, led after 3rd, headed 13th, in 3rd and weakening when blundered 4 out, soon pulled up
chased leader, close 3rd when fell 12th
held up, hit 9th, headway and slightly hampered 12th, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last when fell
chased leaders, mistake 6th, not fluent 8th, struggling from 11th
led, headed after 3rd, remained with leader until 11th, weakening when hampered 12th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, behind from 10th, pulled up after 13th
held up, jumped right 4th, headway 9th, led 13th, clear when jumped right 3 out, ridden and under pressure 2 out, mistake and left clear last
Armageddon, Chabrimal Minster and Denada all return after long absences and a safer bet may be Dickens, who is preferred to Shady Anne. The selection should have a race of this nature within him and was in the process of running his best race over fences at Towcester last month before falling at the 11th. If none the worse for that tumble then the Venetia Williams-trained gelding may be able to open his account over the larger obstacles. Armageddon has not been sighted for over two years but would need to improve on previous form to trouble the selection and of more interest may be Chabrimal Minster, who has had his training problems but has reportedly schooled well and would be of interest if fully wound up for this. Denada is another that has been off for some time but did show ability over fences two years ago and cannot be ruled out entirely. Michael Scudamore's Janbre has been given a break since disappointing last time and is another to consider along with Frank Jordan's Shady Anne, who has ground conditions to suit. Dickens is no world-beater but he looks to have been found a suitable opportunity and is taken to open his account over fences.
Armageddon 7-1 Led to 4th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nick's Choice at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Mar '03, 18 ran.
Chabrimal Minster 10-1 Held up in touch, headway 4 out, led last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Carlisle 3m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Mar '04 beating Fromragstoriches by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Denada 2-1 In rear, went 3rd at the 4th, in 3rd when quickly pulled up 4 out in race won by Jungle Jinks at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (C) gd in Feb '03, 4 ran.
I'm For Waiting 10-1 Mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened over 2 out, 5th of 11, 34l behind Jollyshau at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Dec.
Janbre (IRE) 8-1 With leaders, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Just Maybe at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Shady Anne 11-2 Chased leader, pushed along approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 10, 28l behind Top Achiever at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Mar.
Dickens (USA) 15-8 In touch, headway to lead after 7th until fell at the 11th in race won by Tipp Top at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (E) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
