not always fluent in rear, behind 12th, pulled up before 3 out
led until 2nd, tracked leaders, slow 4th and 11th, ridden before 12th, well in touch when short of room and brought down on bend before 3 out
prominent until 3rd, tracked leaders, challenged 6th, led after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, clear flat, stayed on
took keen hold, led 2nd, headed after next, stayed in touch on outside, jumped left and mistake 7th, bumped on bend before 3 out, mistake 2 out, no extra when mistake last
held up, headway when not fluent 7th, not much room on bend before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace
blundered 1st, behind after, pulled up before 11th
held up, still going ok disputing 6th when fell 11th
held up, headway on inside 7th, not much room and switched left on bend before 3 out, every chance 2 out, mistake last, no impression flat
tracked leaders, led after 3rd, headed after 4 out, no extra 2 out
Recent winners HEY BILL and Speedalong look closely matched but the former gets the nod as he is proven over this trip, unlike Jeremy Scott’s Wincanton scorer. Colin Tizzard saddles Muffins For Tea and Cucklington and both would have claims on their best form but Will O'The West has gone backwards since a fourth at Uttoxeter in October. The Kings Writ was still beaten 18 lengths when runner-up at Hereford last month and it’s a long time since Invicta Lake got his head in front having shown little in two runs to date over fences. It's Obvious may do better over fences but became disappointing over hurdles.
Will O'The West (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, jumped right 6th, not fluent 8th, blundered badly when behind 15th, 6th of 9, dist behind Relentless Dreamer (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Hey Bill (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leader, jumped left at times, mistake 12th, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, pressed last, driven flat, held on well, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Megabucks (11-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Muffins For Tea 9-1 (11-2) Held up, behind 3rd, went remote 3rd before 2 out, no chance, 3rd of 6, dist behind Report To Base (11-2) at Hereford 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Speedalong (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden out flat, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Behind Time (11-8) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
It's Obvious 7-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 10, dist behind Culture De Sivola (11-10) at Taunton 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Cadeau Du Bresil (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up, 11th at 7th, moderate 8th approaching straight, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 31l behind The West's Awake (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f gd in Jul.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, held up in touch, closer 6th, awkward 12th, outpaced after next, ridden in 4th before 4 out, modest 3rd 3 out, jumped right last, 3rd of 6, 19 1/4l behind Leo Luna (12-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
The Kings Writ (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, chased winner after 4 out, stumbled 2 out, beaten when jumped left last, 2nd of 13, 18l behind Clondaw Rigger (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Cucklington 11-4fav (12-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out until before 2 out, lost 3rd before last, no extra, 5th of 9, 28l behind Crank Em Up (12-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
