mid-division, headway and in touch 5th, hit 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, pushed along 5th, challenged 4 out, led next, headed 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 2nd last
close up on outside, driven after 3 out, soon lost place, weakened and pulled up before next
raced wide, mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led next, soon ridden, stayed on well to go clear from last
led to 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, weakened last
raced wide, held up and always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, struggling 6th, never dangerous
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind, weakened 3 out
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
with leader, lost place after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
raced wide, tracked leaders, reminders 5th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
The trio for the shortlist are DOUBLE DASH, Benmore Boy and Near The Water and our preference is with Double Dash. Trainer George Baker has his string in good form and Double Dash posted a good effort last time at Lingfield when he seemed to score with plenty in hand. He remains relatively unexposed and he looks one to stay on the right side of. Benmore Boy looks the obvious alternative as he has won two of his eight starts over hurdles and he proved his ability to handle these ground conditions when last seen out. Near The Water is a model of consistency and he is developing into a course specialist. He ran well off this mark last time and he looks capable of getting competitive again. Spider Boy is at his best when he is allowed to dictate from the front and he will relish the ground, but his best days are perhaps behind him. Apocal has failed to complete on three of his last four starts, so it is hard to recommend him with confidence. Preference is for Double Dash who can build on an impressive win last time.
Double Dash 15-8fav (11-9) Held up in last pair, good headway going well to lead soon after 3 out, in command next, stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Rigadin De Beauchene (11-11) by 13l, 6 ran.
Fenix (GER) 50-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders until weakened well before 3 out, 15th of 18, 40l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Benmore Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, ridden to lead and edged right between last 2, clear last, eased considerably towards finish, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft beating El Distintivo (11-12) by 11l, 7 ran.
L'Homme de Nuit (GER) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 30l behind Alfie Spinner (10-8) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Maraafeq (USA) 12-1 (11-11) In touch, hampered and lost place 6th, stayed on from 2 out, no threat, 5th of 16, 15l behind Oenologue (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Ray Diamond 7-1 (11-5) Chasesd leader, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 12, 17l behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Near The Water (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, challenged after next, not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Oenologue (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Dot's Delight 33-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, steady headway 9th, chased leading trio under pressure 3 out, no impression next, left modest 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Preuty Boy (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Princess Flame (GER) 33-1 (11-5) Raced wide, jumped slowly 4th, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Qaspal (11-5) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
Apocal (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place when blundered 11th, soon weakened, behind when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
My Turn Now (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, stayed prominent until weakened soon after 7th, tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Kilvergan Boy (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Held up, pushed along 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, 12th of 15, well behind Lord Crewe (10-8) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Gaspara (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, under pressure 4th, reminders and struggling soon after, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 12, 47l behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Spider Boy 8-1 (10-8) Chased leader, led 3rd to 5th, outpaced from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Timetoring (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
