held up, lost touch 14th
held up, hampered 7th, pecked 12th, went 3rd 15th, ridden after 17th, weakening when pecked 3 out, lost 3rd run-in
tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, soon in command, comfortably
held up, hampered 7th, badly hampered and unseated rider next
led, not fluent 13th (water) ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd, but soon held by winner
chasing leader when fell 10th
jumped right mostly, chased leaders, went right 2nd and 8th, ridden after 15th, weakened 17th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, reminders 6th, lost touch 17th, plugged on to go moderate 4th run-in
The three that appeal most are Ashwell, Never So Blue and Boyastara although Chico Time and Topless aren't dismissed. Ashwell is selected. Boyastara is pitched straight into handicap company for his chase bow, he has to be respected given his connections and it'd be no surprise to see him go close. Never So Blue tries this trip for the first time and races from a 12lb higher mark than when last successful. He has an impressive strike rate and may well have more in the locker but his life is going to get harder. Ashwell has also suffered at the hands of the handicapper as he's been raised 21lbs for his win at Ludlow. He is proven at the trip and on the ground whilst there is every chance that he remains well handicapped as he was rated some 20lbs higher over hurdles and is having just his fourth chase start today. Chico Time has been running really well of late but will find easier opportunities whilst Topless may not quite be up to this task. In contrast, Ashwell promises to hold his own in stronger company and gets our vote.
Spectrometer 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 21l behind Nirvana Swing (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Ashwell (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up, headway 14th, led 4 out, easily, won at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs beating Raki Rose (11-7) by 14l, 12 ran.
Never So Blue (FR) 5-6fav (11-8) In touch, mistake 2nd, ridden 2 out, kept on to lead close home, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec beating Roussea (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Boyastara (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, 9th of 15, well behind Ballyfitz (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Even More (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) In touch, lost place before 6th, soon behind, 8th of 13, 37l behind Macmar (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Topless (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 14th, ridden to chase leaders 18th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 9, 26l behind Arnold Layne (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Chico Time (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, smooth headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, jumped right 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 12l behind Labelthou (11-5) at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft.
Wizard of Edge 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 10th, no chance from 13th, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Treasulier (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
