jumped right, held up in 4th, 3rd after 11th, challenged 2 out, soon took slight lead, ridden and ran on well flat
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, narrowly headed soon after 2 out, still every chance flat, held near finish
led, shaken up, wanting to hang and headed before 3 out, beaten after 2 out, weakening when pecked last
tracked leaders, hits 10th, beaten after 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
A small but select field and Sharp Reply is our selection. Tactics are likely to play a big part in the outcome of the race but Sharp Reply is a pretty straight forward individual unlike one or two of his rivals. The selection indicated his well being when landing a novice chase at prohibitive odds last time while Frankie Figg did not look the most straight forward when landing a Beginners' Chase at Kelso, beating Monolith who has landed a similar contest in due course. Brave Rebellion looked held last time when unshipping his rider two out. He might just be vulnerable against horses with a greater deal of pace in this small field. Sharp Reply has impressed on his two outings to date and we will side with him.
Brave Rebellion 11-4fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway and effort approaching 3 out, ridden when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Crackadee (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Sharp Reply (USA) 2-11fav (11-6) Made all, clear from 3 out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Feb beating Allborn Lad (11-0) by 24l, 3 ran.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Made all, blundered and headed last, hard ridden to regain lead flat, driven out, won at Kelso 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Feb beating Monolith (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Overlut (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Held up, left 2nd 2nd, left in lead 7th, ran on, won at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Feb beating High Tech Made (11-0) by 14l, 6 ran.
