always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
always behind
chased leaders to 4th, behind from 7th
held up, pushed along from 6th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on flat never dangerous
tracked leader, led 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, left in lead 2 out, blundered last, driven out
jumped right, led to 7th, led again after 3 out, pecked and headed 2 out, no extra flat
behind, mistake 4th, some headway 7th, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 4th, not fluent next, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, weakened flat
Maragun was an impressive winner at Folkestone last week and is taken to follow up at the expense of Celtic Star and Nev Brown. That victory came in a selling hurdle but Martin Pipe's gelding also boasts decent form over the larger obstacles, most notably a gallant second behind the classy Flame Creek over course and distance last May. Last weeks race was probably being used as a confidence booster and he should now be in the right frame of mind to go well here. Nev Brown was making only his second racecourse appearance when a close third behind Idiome at Hereford last month, so therefore has plenty of scope for improvement. Celtic Star is a very capable hurdler but didn't jump well on his chase debut back in December. However he was highly tried in that event and he will be under a lot less pressure against today's field. Of the others bumper winner Majestic Moonbeam is from a top yard and should be noted in the betting, however Maragun has shown enough last season to warrant our vote.
