held up towards rear, headway 3 out, hard ridden approaching 2 out, ran on flat
held up in touch, headway approaching 6th, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, always held
always prominent, led after 7th to 4 out, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, ran on well
held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out to track leaders, weakened 2 out
chased leader, led approaching 5th, headed after 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up and keen, brief effort 4 out, soon beaten
held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off
held up mid-division, effort 3 out, no further headway
held up mid-division, blundered 5th, not recover, tailed off
keen and led until approaching 5th, stayed prominent, led 4 out to 3 out, soon one pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, kept on from last
behind, mistake 3rd, beaten when fell 2 out
keen and in touch, headway 6th, one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway on inside 3 out, weakened approaching last
Top weight Mr Ed comes here in fine form from the flat, having finished third in the Cesarewitch earlier this month, but 2m4f, even under these testing conditions, may not provide a sufficient test of stamina for Peter Bowen's gelding and preference is for Big Moment, who gets the vote over Very Optimistic. The last mentioned is less exposed than many of these but was found wanting in the Royal & SunAlliance last term and faces no easy task on his debut in a handicap. The Philip Hobbs-trained Supreme Prince is interesting back over hurdles having not always convinced over the larger obstacles last season although Richard Johnson opts to ride Chivite, who unseated his rider when last seen over hurdles last month. Nick Gifford's Joly Bey is still facing an unequal battle against the handicapper following his win at Newbury last term and is probably best watched on his reappearance, while recent course and distance winner Spring Pursuit has more to do from out of the weights today. The Paul Nicholls-trained Le Roi Miguel was highly tried over fences last season and reappears off what looks a favourable mark. He has to be respected but preference is for Big Moment. Amanda Perrett's gelding remains unexposed over hurdles, comes here fit and in form from the flat and will not mind the ground conditions. Big Moment holds solid claims in this valuable event.
