held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out soon weakened, behind when blundered badly last, pulled up flat
tracked leaders, headway to lead 8th, ridden after 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on under pressure
behind, strugglig halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
held up towards rear, reminders 8th, headway under pressure to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next
tracked leader, pushed along approaching 8th, ridden and weakened 4 out
in touch, pushed along 9th, headway under pressure 4 out, effort next, kept on one paced
in touch, headway halfway to chase leaders, ridden 3 out, mistake and led next, driven out
mid-division, pushed along and dropped rear halfway, outpaced 4 out
towars rear, never dangerous
held up in mid-division, headway under pressure after 4 out, driven and effort 2 out, one paced flat
led to 8th, ridden next, soon weakened
It is great to see Paris Pike on the comeback trail as he heads for the Martell Cognac Grand National, but much as his Wetherby run last time was pleasing, others are preferred. Course and distance winner (in two chases), Sireric, is opposable from out of the handicap. Hugo de Perro's comes here with his confidence high after a claiming win and is entitled to go well. The sole course and distance winner in the field, The Phair Crier, has lots of natural ability and looked very useful as a novice, but he has had training problems. Lazy But Lively has taken a big hike up the ratings and, even though he has run respectably from his new mark, is worth taking on. All of his wins have come on heavy going. Lightly raced over hurdles, Polish Flame takes a drop in grade for this contest and certainly has scope for improvement. The handicapper has probably got it about right with the novice Silver Knight's mark, although he did beat Chopneyev back in November in a novice event. He is not without a chance. After Me Boys ran very well to be second to Burundi on his return after an absence (he is closely weighted with Paris Pike on that run), and is another to consider. Hugo de Grez has won only once over hurdles but has been doing well in chases. He drops back to hurdling here and looks opposable. Interdit has a similar profile. Jonjo O'Neill's runners always have to be respected and he runs Wagner. It is hard to assess his Market Rasen win on March 3, but a mark of 100 is hardly excessive. As he is unexposed, he gets the vote, particularly if the market speaks in his favour.
