track winner, joined winner 4 out, hit 3 out, soon ridden, every chance flat, held close home
held up behind leaders, fell 3rd
left in lead 2nd, hard pressed from 4 out, pecked badly 3 out, hit last, drifted left flat, driven out
hampered 2nd, raced in close 4th, went 3rd after 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, found litte
led until fell 2nd
Ice Bucket is sure to be popular with punters here and we will side with him to beat Thedreamstillalive and Bob Bites Back. The selection won well at Hereford last time when beating Golden Duck in quite a competitive event and with this step-up in trip in his favour he should be capable of following-up. Thedreamtillalive ran with great credit last time out when beating Green 'N' Gold but all his best form is on testing ground and for that reason he looks worth taking on today. Bob Bites Back made a winning hurdles debut last time and he is interesting as he won that day despite being a bit green. However, his yard have been struggling for form of late and the percentage call is to take him on. Talikos is the stablemate of our selection and he can be ignored unless the market dictates otherwise, and for the winner we will stick with Ice Bucket.
Bobsleigh 50-1 (11-4) Always towards rear and jumped right throughout, mistake 8th, weakened before 10th, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Blue Splash (11-4) at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, closer order 6th, chased leaders 3 out, every chance when left in lead last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Golden Duck (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Talikos (FR) 5-1co-fav (10-13) Held up, headway and well in touch 14th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lady of Scarvagh (11-10) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Always prominent, led 2nd, headed after 6th, led again 10th, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy beating Green 'n' Gold (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bob Bites Back (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, led last, all out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Michabo (11-6) by a hd, 12 ran.
Priests Bridge (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led to 3 out, soon ridden, every chance approaching last, weakened and eased flat, 4th of 7, 7l behind Rigmarole (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Sept '03.
