prominent, chased leader 6th, ridden 4 out, challenged and blundered 3 out, hit 2 out, led approaching last, rider dropped reins and wandered left flat, all out
held up mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 4th
chased leader, lost place 7th, not fluent 11th, soon ridden, outpaced 4 out, rallied and stayed on one pace from 2 out
led, mistake 8th, quickened on bit after 4 out, hit 3 out, headed approaching last, rallied flat, hampered and carried left, not recover
held up last, ridden 11th and soon struggling, switched left to challenge a poor 3rd approaching last, ran on same pace flat
Nonrunner
Craven gets the vote here with Captain Windsor and Fountain Hill others worth considering. The selection is not one to take a short price about but he showed improved form last time out on only his second start over fences when chasing home Rehearsel at Ludlow. He is still open to plenty of improvement and with the ground also to his liking he should take all the beating. Captain Windsor rates the main danger as he should be suited by the drop in trip today, but he looks the stable second-string here and unless there is significant market support then he is probably best watched. Fountain Hill is another runner here from the Paul Nicholls yard and he will certainly be suited by this faster ground after getting bogged down in the heavy at Folkestone last time behind Moncadou. He had previously run well when finishing third behind Ursis at Hereford and he is certainly worthy of consideration. This looks a good opportunity for Paul Nicholls to get another winner but Craven looks the best of his three runners and is given the vote.
Craven (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, weakened approaching last, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Rehearsal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Explosive Fox (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, until mistake and weakened 14th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Maletton (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Fountain Hill (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, mistake 1st, led 2nd, headed 5th, ridden 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Moncadou (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Mister Tibus (FR) 100-1 (10-13) Led briefly 1st, lost place 9th, tailed off after 4 out, last of 5, well behind Moncadou (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Vanishing Dancer (SWI) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Mighty Moose (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 16 ran.
Captain Windsor (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Chased leader, mistake 11th, blundered 12th, led 13th to 14th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, well behind Howrwenow (11-6) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Droppy's (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 12th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Henry's Pride (11-4) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (4) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Bob Bites Back (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Hampered 2nd, close up, effort 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Thedreamstillalive (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd.
