held up, mistakes, behind 7th, pulled up before last
held up, ridden 11th, soon beaten
led, headed 3rd, remained handy, weakened 4 out
held up, hampered 9th, struggling 13th, behind and hit 15th
in touch, pressed leader 12th, driven 3 out, led last, ridden out
led 3rd, pressed from 12th, headed last, weakened flat
held up in touch, effort 15th, one paced from 3 out
tracked leaders, mistakes, fell 9th
held up, headway 15th, stayed on flat
Fluff 'N' Puff put up arguably a career best performance when chasing home Wise King at Wincanton last time, and a similar effort here would see him go close, but we'll take a chance that Henrietta Knight's Keep Smiling can put in a clear round of jumping, which might be good enough to see him revert to winning ways. He was returning from a long absence and running well when unseating Robert Biddlecombe four out at Leicester last time, having done the same to Jim Culloty at Cheltenham on his previous start. He had also fallen early on in his chasing debut at Fontwell, but his only completed start over fences saw him win in good style at Bangor, and on that evidence he is weighted to win here. Running Machine has been placed behind some fair horses in the past, and could be booked for place money again here, while the unexposed Steel Edge is another who could be thereabouts if putting in a clear round.
