tracked leaders, led 14th, headed flat, ridden and no extra
mid-division, fell 12th
held up, headway and every chance 4 out, ridden from last, kept on to lead flat
always behind, lost touch from 12th
tracked leaders, lost place and pulled up 14th
led until headed 14th, weakening when blundered 4 out
The quartet of ROBBERS GLEN, A Boy Named Sioux, The Reverend and Devil Water should provide the winner and we'll plump for the first named. His owner/trainer/rider, Val Jackson, is an experienced horsewoman who partnered him to two successes over course and distance last season before landing the prestigious John Corbet Cup. He held every chance when brought down on his reappearance in February and ran a fine race to finish fifth in the Foxhunters on his latest start; he should go close. A Boy Named Sioux landed the cash when running on strongly to get the better of Harlov at Carlisle and, although that race may not have taken a great deal of winning, he was good value for the win and is respected. The Reverend ran out a ready winner over this course and distance in February. He lost his way after a promising start to his career but is young enough to continue his improvement now that he's recaptured his form and he, too, rates a danger. Devil Water was well held in a maiden hurdle in 2007 but scored a decisive success at Overton on his reappearance and it will be interesting to see if the youngster attracts any support. His more experienced adversaries set a decent standard for him to aim at though and Robbers Glen is fancied to come out on top.
Robbers Glen (IRE) 18-1 (12-0) In rear and wide, some headway before 18th, not in contention, stayed on approaching 2 out, never a danger, 5th of 24, 24l behind Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs.
A Boy Named Sioux (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Held up in touch, headway 5 out, challenged next, led 3 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 3m hts chs (6) gs in Mar '08 beating Harlov (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
The Reverend (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Held up in touch, tracked leader 11th, ridden and led approaching last, kept on well flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft in Feb beating Smart Cavalier (11-11) by 25l, 10 ran.
Nocatee (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Always behind and mistakes, 3rd of 10, 40l behind The Reverend (11-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Theatre Rights (IRE) 200-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, weakened from 9th, behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by The Reverend (11-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Time To Reflect (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, lost place 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Smart Thinker (11-1) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy, 12 ran.
Devil Water 4-1jt-fav (12-0) A.p; led aft 11; unchall, won at Overton 2m 4f ptp gd in Feb beating Indian Print (11-7) by 10l, 9 ran.
