keen tracked leaders, ridden 4 out soon weakened
mid-divion, ridden after 4 out, headway next, chased winner last, no impression flat
always in rear, weakened 10th
intouch, jumped left 10th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, headway to track leaders 5th, mistake 9th and 3 out when ridden, weakened approaching last
chased winner, jumped left 10th, ridden and every chance 3 out, lost 2nd at last
tracked leaders, lost place after 7th, behind when pulled up 9th
made all, ridden clear last, ran on
always in rear
in rear, lost touch 5th, behind when pulled up 9th
held up, ridden 9th soon beaten
Nonrunner
Rince Donn is now 10lbs higher than when last successful and Vic's World disappointed when last faced with ground this quick, so at a price we'll chance BOLLITREE BOB to cause something of an upset. Jamie Snowden's gelding was pulled up when last seen on Boxing Day so clearly arrives with questions to answer. However, that was his first run in some time and it came on bottomless ground, so as a horse who likes genuine good ground he could bounce back to form here having been given time to recover from that run. The nine-year-old is only 4lbs higher than when last victorious so providing his trainer has him back to his best a big run awaits. Vic's World looked booked for a place when last seen and should be suited by taking a slight step up in trip. Off the same mark he's entitled to go close, but only once has he tackled ground with firm in the description and it resulted in comprehensive defeat, so he's taken on with the sun still shining. Rince Donn is also taken on, though not because of any problems with the ground as he seems versatile enough. Instead, we're of the opinion that racing off a 10lb higher mark than when last scoring may prove too tough a task for this consistent type. Topflight Wildbird has to prove her wellbeing following some modest displays over jumps and on the flat, so of more interest at a price is R'Cam whose trainer believes the horse is better than this mark. He has to prove that to be so, but this better ground will help and he could go well. Legal Glory is dropping down the weights but may need three miles and softer ground not to mention a return to form, Final Bid has been asked some stiff questions and is hard to assess but might be a shade high in the weights, whilst Newnham Flyer and Sparkbridge both race from outside the handicap and are difficult to fancy. This is a poor affair but in the hope the better ground brings about significant improvement we'll take a chance on Bollitree Bob.
Bollitree Bob 10-1 (11-8) Pulled hard, prominent, chased leader after 3rd, not fluent 6th, hit 4 out, lost 2nd after next, soon weakened, blundered badly 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Desperate Dex (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Vic's World (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 3rd, until 8th, chased winner after, 1 length down in 2nd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Holmwood Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 8 ran.
Legal Glory (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Behind, poor 6th when blundered and unseated rider 10th (3 out), in a race won by Holmwood Legend (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Chilbury Hill (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Soon in touch, blundered 8th, behind from 10th, tailed off, 7th of 12, 44l behind Ere Alfie (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Topflight Wildbird 17-2 (11-9) Held up, raced keenly, headway 4th, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 11, 49l behind Desperate Dex (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
R'Cam (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Prominent early, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by The Snail (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Alam (USA) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, reminders after 5th, blundered 7th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up approaching 9th, in a race won by Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Folie A Deux (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leader, weakened rapidly before 10th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Cesium (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Final Bid (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) In touch, dropped to rear and struggling after 5th, tailed off, 7th of 8, 45l behind Holmwood Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Newnham Flyer (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Chased leader, lost place 4th, ridden 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Caoba (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Sparkbridge (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, steady headway 6th, chased leading pair after 4 out, left 6 lengths down in 2nd 3 out, weakened and lost modest 2nd 2 out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Holmwood Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Rince Donn (IRE) 9-4 (10-11) Tracked leading pair, chased winner 4 out, no chance after next, finished tired, 2nd of 4, 21l behind Sumdancer (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
