with leaders, weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, fell 1st
tracked leaders early, lost place 6th, headway 13th, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well from last
held up, blundered 15th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, soon eased
fell 1st
led to 5th, chased leaders, led again approaching 3 out, ridden and headed next, one pace from last
chased leaders, lost place after 14th, pulled up after 6 out
with leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened last
always towards rear, and pushed along, no impression from 3 out
This marathon event is named after one of the sport's legendary jump jockeys and can go to the interesting Classic Native, who gets the vote over The Villager, Merchants Friend and Tipsy Mouse. The selection lacks the experience of a number of his rivals but looked good when beating The Villager (who is now nine pounds better off) by eight lengths at Bangor last time. Both have the look of improvers and should go well although the selection, who has been raised nine pounds for that success, has the profile of a well-handicapped horse. Merchants Friend ran well when second in Cheltenham's Fulke Walwyn/Kim Muir Chase in March from today's mark, and can go well, while Tipsy Mouse, who stays well, can also run well, even though he is nine pounds above a winning mark, although many might favour his 2002 Becher Chase-winning stablemate, Ardent Scout, although he has not won since that Aintree success but is now back below the mark he won from on that occasion. With Bear On Board probably going to need this as he starts on his road towards another crack at the Grand National in April, we turn once again to Classic Native, who is our selection for this contest.
