held up, closed and effort before 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
tracked leading pair, hit 7th, chased winner 10th to 3 out, one pace from next
led to 3rd, chased winner, hit 7th, lost 2nd at 10th, weakened quickly, tailed off
in touch, chased leading pair from 10th, effort to chase winner 3 out, challenged next, no impression and held before last
made most from 3rd, hit 2 out, ridden and in command when hit last, ridden out
chased leaders, hit 7th, blundered 12th, mistake next, struggling under pressure after 4 out
In this six-runner affair, we like the look of Osiris ahead of Jongleur Collonges and Saafend Rocket. The selection took a tumble last time but had earlier won two of his three previous races. His second to Schuh Shine at Southwell in-between those efforts gives his form a solid look and he must surely go well today given a clear round. Saafend Rocket remains consistent but cannot quite get his head in front, while Jongleur Collonges, who has already won over fences, has to be considered strongly in what is, overall, a fairly modest turnout for this race. Turning to the others and Vanishing Dancer has not quite set the world alight over fences yet but, judged on his second to Lanmire Tower at Ayr last time from today's mark, has to be respected, while Durlston Bay was rated higher than today when winning over hurdles but does not have a great deal of chasing experience, that last point also applying to Six Of One. This, then leads us back to the selection, which is Osiris.
Saafend Rocket (IRE) 9-1 Held up, hit 13th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and mistake 3 out, led 2 out, hit last, headed close home, 2nd of 11, hd behind Roschal at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Feb.
Osiris (IRE) 10-3fav Tracked leaders, ridden when fell 3 out in race won by Captain Corelli at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs (B) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Jongleur Collonges (FR) 12-1 Prominent, not fluent 7th, soon lost place and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Lord Of Illusion at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (C) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
Six of One 10-1 Held up in rear, headway to track leaders from 4 out, close up 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 18l behind Schuh Shine at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Jan.
Durlston Bay 50-1 Led to 6th, tracked winner, mistake 8th, lost 2nd 12th, stayed in touch until weakened after 4 out, 4th of 8, 35l behind Liverpool Echo at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (D) gs in Feb.
Vanishing Dancer (SWI) 16-1 Held up, ridden and headway after 4 out, kept on from 2 out, took 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Lanmire Tower at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
