tracked leaders, not much room 6th or 7th, led 8th until 9th, led again 10th, narrow lead when fell 4 out
held up, stumbled and unseated rider 4th
led 2nd, soon headed, hit 5th, led next, headed 8th, hit 9th and ridden, left 2nd when hampered 4 out, soon well adrift of leader, 10 lengths down when left alone last
led until 2nd, soon led again, headed 6th, led 9th until 10th, challenging when left in lead 4 out, soon well clear, ridden and weary but still 10 lengths ahead when fell last
chased leaders on outside, 3 lengths 3rd when fell 4 out
Despite the re-fitting of a visor, WESTER ROSS looks fairly straightforward and didn't do a lot wrong in Adam Wedge's hands at Newton Abbot earlier this month. He may be the one to beat here as Tatispout has developed a mind of her own and there's no guarantee she'll put her best foot forward back over fences. Hereford winner Mister Matt can't be ignored but Cruchain was behind the selection at Ludlow in December and is only a couple of pounds better off here while That's The Deal could find this trip on the sharp side nowadays.
Tatispout (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Held up behind, headway and in touch 5th, effort on inside when not much room and switched right approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, 6th of 14, 5l behind Laudatory (10-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Wester Ross (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Behind, headway to 5th when blundered 9th, weakened next, went modest 4th before last, kept on flat, 4th of 8, 7l behind Doeslessthanme (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
Cruchain (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, not fluent and dropped rear 4th, headway when hit 10th, no impression after 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Auroras Encore (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd.
Mister Matt (IRE) 3-1 (10-4) Jumped left throughout, ridden approaching 2 out, always doing enough final strides, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs beating Russian Flag (11-12) by nk, 3 ran.
That's The Deal (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 14th, soon lost place, 8th of 15, 40l behind Sound Accord (10-4) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs (2) gd.
