tracked leader, jumped slowly 3rd, led approaching and mistake 6th, headed next, ridden to challenge after 2 out, soon one pace
held up in rear, in touch, chased leaders after 3rd, led 5th, headed next, led again approaching and mistake 8th, headed after 2 out, soon rallied, no extra close home
led until 5th, remained prominent, lost place after 7th, under pressure 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, weakened 9th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leader led 7th, headed approaching next, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly in rear, slow 2nd, headway 3 out, led approaching last, soon hard ridden and strongly challenged, stayed on well (6 fences omitted due to low sun)
held up in touch, headway 9th, soon chasing leader, effort when jumped slowly 2 out, soon weakened
A cracking contest in which The Hollinwell has outstanding claims at his best, though he's lost the plot in the past year and looks best watched for the time being. That's Rhythm has been operating at an elevated level and should appreciate the drop in grade but still has plenty on his plate giving weight away all round. In the circumstances it looks best to focus on those in good heart and GARLETON showed that he's perfectly capable on good ground as well as soft when scoring emphatically at Bangor last time. He can continue his winning spree at the expense of Lothian Falcon, back to a suitable trip after a brave effort in the Scottish National, and ultra-consistent course specialist Harry Flashman.
That's Rhythm (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 22nd, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 28, well behind Beshabar (10-4) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd.
The Hollinwell 11-1 (11-12) Took keen hold early, prominent, lost place 5th, jumped slowly next, not going well, behind 9th, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Commemoration Day (10-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd, 8 ran.
Garleton (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Close up, led after 3 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Dom D'Orgeval (11-1) by 8l, 9 ran.
Lothian Falcon 33-1 (9-7) Always handy enough, went 3rd 23rd until approaching 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 28, 31l behind Beshabar (10-4) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd.
Harry Flashman 6-1 (11-6) Always prominent, went 2nd after 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Montoya's Son (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Fortysecond Street (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Behind and hesitant at fences, tailed off 4 out, 8th of 9, well behind Pret A Thou (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Dawn Ride (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, left 3rd bypassing ommited 11th, blundered next, ridden and no impression when hit 3 out, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Western Gale (10-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
