tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon hard driven, jumped left next, strongly challenged after last, all out, headed post
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened next, moderate 3rd
held up in touch, chasing leaders when fell 12th
led, driven and headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, moderate 4th
held up in touch, headway to chase leader 9th, mistake next, led approaching 4 out, headed next, rallied last, hard ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead post
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, under pressure 10th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
Rimini won three times before the turn of the year but looked as though he was in the handicapper's grip when beaten 12 lengths at Newbury earlier this month. Storm Of Applause is back on the same mark as when successful over 2m here last season and should be thereabouts, however, while Papradon is knocking on the door and only 2lb higher than when chasing home Golden Duck over 2m at Ludlow last month. But the vote goes to BRENIN CWMTUDU, who looks as though he's finally got his act together over fences. The eight-year-old won over a similar trip at Hereford in January before appearing to find 3m2f too far on a return visit to that track last month. He can return to winning ways here.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leader, mistakes 2nd and 6th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 23l behind Moon Over Miami (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Rimini (FR) 15-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, went right and chased leader 2 out, no impression and well held before when went right last, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Cottage Acre (10-11) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs.
Brenin Cwmtudu 6-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway after 3rd, chased winner who was clear 3 out, no impression, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Ratify (10-8) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Papradon 5-1 (10-9) Led, joined 3 out, narrow lead when blundered next and headed soon after, stayed on same pace from last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Golden Duck (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Prince Massini (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, stumbled on bend approaching 5th, led 6th, headed before 8th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Phare Isle (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Railway Diva (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, under pressure halfway, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Carlicue (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
