with leader, jumped slowly 1st, led 3rd, headed approaching 10th, ridden 14th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, hit 8th, led approaching 10th, headed 11th, mistake 12th, ridden after 14th, weakened last
held up, mistake 1st, pecked 4th, reminder after 9th, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
in touch until 12th, tailed off
chased leaders until mistake and lost place 2nd, driven approaching 10th, soon outpaced, rallied approaching 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd last, no impression on winner
led, jumped right 2nd, headed and reminder 3rd, mistake 7th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up after 13th
held up, headway 14th, weakened 4 out
held up, headway after 9th, led 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last, driven out flat
Wayward Melody showed improved form at Huntingdon last time and has to be considered but this looks tougher and preference is for Mill Bank, who gets the vote ahead of Irishkawa Bellevue. The last mentioned disappointed under heavy ground at Uttoxeter last time and should be more at home under today's conditions but does need to improve to trouble the selection Mill Bank, who remains potentially well treated after just three start since joining Evan Williams. Peter Winkworth's Instant Appeal has ability but may need some help from the handicapper, while Blank Canvas is less exposed than most but remains a maiden. Deliceo will appreciate any rain that falls and is another worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Mill Bank, who could give Evan Williams another winner.
Pontius 9-2fav (10-7) Prominent to 15th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Colourful Life (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Oct '04, 13 ran.
Mill Bank (IRE) 9-2fav (11-3) Always towards rear, 4th of 16, 22l behind Perfect Balance (11-6) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Blank Canvas (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In touch, left 2nd 3rd, weakened after 3 out, 2nd of 4, 21l behind Sargasso Sea (11-5) at Leicester 2m mdn chs (4) hvy.
Simple Glory (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Behind, blundered 4th, ridden next, well behind when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Von Origny (11-0) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 11 ran.
Irishkawa Bellevue (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, weakening when mistake 10th, tailed off when, 7th of 9, well behind Corlande (10-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Instant Appeal 11-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, close 3rd when stumbled badly 8th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Foxmeade Dancer (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb.
Pardini (USA) 10-1 (10-1) Prominent, mistake 2nd, ridden 10th, outpaced 12th, ran on well flat, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Young Lorcan (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Wayward Melody 8-1 (11-4) Led, headed 6th, ridden from 12th, mistake 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Meggie's Beau (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
