held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden 7th and took closer order, every chance 2 out, weakened last
held up in touch, headway after 8th, ridden 2 out, pressed flat, all out
prominent, weakened 7th
in touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last
led and keen, ridden 3 out, headed after 2 out and weakened
always behind
held up towards rear, effort 6th, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, every chance last, challenged winner flat, no extra
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, faded from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden from 6th, lost place next
held up towards rear, headway 7th, close up when not fluent 2 out, one pace next
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
in rear, lost touch 6th, pulled up before 4 out
This is a competitive-looking handicap-hurdle with plenty in with chances but we will shortlist McBain, Nanga Parbat, Jockser, Blaeberry and New Entic, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Nanga Parbat a tentative choice. He unseated his rider early in the race when sent off favourite at this course in January. The five-year-old had previously tried to give weight and a beating to older rivals at Sandown but found one too good for him that day. He won similar events to this at Wincanton and Newbury last year and he tops our shortlist here. McBain has won two races over this course-and-distance and obviously likes the track, however he looks to be a bit too high in the weights at present and can be opposed. Jockser has been running into places but hasn't got his nose in front in over a year. He will have a featherweight to carry in this race but he is held on form by Nanga Parbat. New Entic represents the in-form Gary Moore yard but the biggest danger to our selection looks to be Blaeberry who represents the Emma Lavelle stable. She won a similar race over course and distance earlier this month and she looks the type who could defy the seven-pound rise. In a competitive race our selection is Nanga Parbat.
Le Volfoni (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 12th, staying on when fell 3 out in race won by Reveillez (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (1) gd, 18 ran.
McBain (USA) 16-1 (10-11) Towards rear, stayed on under pressure approaching 2 out, no danger, 7th of 17, 13l behind The Market Man (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Oct.
New Entic (FR) 11-2 (11-9) In touch, chased leaders until 7th, under pressure and weakened soon after 3 out, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by Temoin (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd, 17 ran.
Silencio (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Never going well and always behind, 15th of 21, 27l behind Victram (9-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft.
Nanga Parbat (FR) 3-1fav (10-5) Mistake and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Royal Hector (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Woody Valentine (USA) 3-1fav (11-8) Always behind, reminders after 5th, never dangerous, 8th of 13, well behind Presumptuous (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Jockser (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Gods Token (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Blaeberry 9-2 (11-7) Held up, good headway 6th, hampered by loose horse 7th, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead flat, all out, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Manawanui (10-11) by a nk, 12 ran.
