fell 2nd
always prominent, stayed on to lead after last, hung left, and headed towards finish
in touch, pushed on 13th, outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace flat
towards rear, struggling 13th, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along 4 out, outpaced when mistake 2 out, weakend flat
close up, mistake 9th, pulled up quickly before 11th
held up in mid-division, mistake 5th, headway 14th to chase leaders, effort 3 out, one pace next
held up in rear, headway 4 out, effort when mistake 2 out, faded flat
held up in touch, headway to lead 12th, ridden and headed after last, switched right and rallied to lead near finish
led, headed 12th, remained prominent, ridden when mistake 15th, weakened after 3 out
behind, hampered 2nd, never dangerous
Snowy, Skenfrith and Bellaney Jewel look the three to concentrate on in this novices' chase and the vote is given to Skenfrith. The selection won well last time out when beating Frankie Dori and although he is rising in the weights he has looked a progressive type of late and under conditions that suit he looks the value bet in an open affair. Snowy rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating World Vision but that horse has since let the form down and as this looks more competitive he may struggle under his penalty. Bellaney Jewel is another that could go well as he won well last time when defeating Elvis Returns. However his best form is with much more cut in the ground and for that reason he is opposed. Red Man won a poor race in good style last time out but he had his own way in front on that occasion and as that does not look likely here he looks worth taking on. This is a trappy affair and stakes should be kept to a minimum but with this in mind for the winner we return to Skenfrith.
Fromragstoriches (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Soon tracking leader, ridden and hit 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, 16l behind Supreme's Legacy (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Jimmy Bond 6-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden last, kept on under pressure flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar beating Posh Stick (11-8) by 2l, 6 ran.
No Picnic (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, lost place from 13th, 5th of 8, well behind Dark Ben (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Mar.
Paphian Bay 8-1 (11-4) Held up, hard ridden and some headway 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bison King (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec '03, 13 ran.
Red Man (IRE) 13-8fav (10-6) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, driven clear between last 2, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Mar beating Jimmys Duky (10-13) by 24l, 9 ran.
Skenfrith 7-2 (10-0) With leader, led 9th, ridden 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar beating Frankie Dori (10-6) by 9l, 9 ran.
Snowy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led 12th, ridden 4 out, kept on well approaching last, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Dec beating World Vision (11-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Try Catch Paddy (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden, weakened 3 out, 12th of 17, well behind Imtihan (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Bellaney Jewel (IRE) 10-3 (10-0) In touch, headway to lead 8th, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) hvy in Mar beating Elvis Returns (11-5) by 16l, 7 ran.
Bramble Princess (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, weakened from 6th, 8th of 17, 28l behind Oscar The Boxer (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Brundeanlaws 33-1 (10-10) With leaders, lost place 6th, weakening when fell 3 out in race won by Merryvale Man (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
