held up in touch, headway to lead 10th, made rest, stayed on well from 2 out, driven out
in touch, tracked leader 4th, outpaced when lost 2nd 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leader to 4th, dropped rear next, headway on inside 11th, chased winner 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression
chased leaders, lost place 7th, reminders 9th, soon behind
chased leaders, lost place 12th, soon ridden, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up on outside, mistake 2nd, outpaced 12th, never dangerous
in rear, mistake 10th, ridden and some headway 13th, never near leaders
rider lost iron 1st, led to 10th, lost place next, soon ridden and behind, no danger after
FORTIFICATION evidently gets on well with Matthew Griffiths and the pair can complete a hat-trick of wins at the main expense of Elsie's Pride, Go West and Marked Man. The selection comes here on the back of wins at Taunton and Chepstow and fully deserves his 7lb penalty for his latest win. He acts well in soft ground and his jumping has been professional since switching to fences. Dusty Dane looks a likely rival if coming on significantly for a quiet Ludlow reappearance, Go West has been holding his form well but has a little to prove on this softer ground, whilst Elsie's Pride has a good record fresh and the stable have started the season well. Blinkers are tried for the first time on the recalcitrant Royal Crystalcadou, whilst Marked Man is a player now stepped back up in trip but the course and distance winner's best efforts have come on a quicker surface. Huckleberry is now just one pound above his highest winning mark and therefore must be considered following a Warwick reappearance, however we are happy to side with top-weight Fortification.
Fortification (USA) 7-2 (11-6) Always prominent, led 6th, headed 11th, left in lead next, made rest, clear 3 out, comfortable, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Classic Clover (11-0) by 14l, 6 ran.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up in last, reminder after 11th, lost touch 13th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Milton Des Bieffes (10-1) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Go West (IRE) 9-4fav (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden and close up 2 out, chased winner approaching last, edged right flat, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Skipper's Lad (10-10) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Elsie's Pride (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, pushed along after 8th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 17, 12l behind Freeline Fury (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
Royal Crystalcadou (FR) 50-1 (10-4) Always in rear, tailed off when fell 4 out, in a race won by Peut Etre Sivola (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct, 12 ran.
Marked Man (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Led, mistake 9th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 19l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Rash Moment (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, hampered 3rd, weakened 14th, 10th of 16, well behind Marked Man (11-4) at Hereford 3m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Huckleberry (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led, pecked and headed 4th, tracked leader, mistakes 16th and next, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Overton Lad (10-0) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
