led, headed 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, hit 5 out, headway after next, every chance 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, hit 5th, mistake 5 out, every chance 2 out, led before last, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
held up mid-division, headway and hit 3 out, no impression after
held up, mistake 1st, behind from 4 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, led next, headed approaching last, no extra
mid-division, under pressure 5 out, soon beaten
THE SNAIL can continue his hot streak and he is given the confident vote over Seize, Rare Coincidence and Wotchalike. Versatility is a key factor in recommending The Snail as he is effective on a variety of ground and also over fences and hurdles. He won over fences last time but he reverts to hurdling here and even off this stiffish mark he should take plenty of beating as he looks progressive. Seize has only managed to get his head in front once over hurdles and takes his chance in this code for the first time in nearly two years. He is entitled to respect as he has won over this course and distance and he is racing off what looks a fair mark. Rare Coincidence returns to hurdling after a spell on the flat, and although he is fully exposed he does win in his turn and he can't be discounted. Wotchalike was well beaten when last seen out but the testing ground may have been against him that day and he could be worth another chance. Vallani ran her best race yet over hurdles last time but she was still well beaten and we are happy to return to The Snail as our choice to charge home to victory.
Rare Coincidence 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 21l behind Teviot Lass (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Witherspoon (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 13th of 15, well behind The Knoxs (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
The Snail 11-8fav (10-11) Led to 6th, led 8th to 10th, led 13th, just held on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Ballabrook (9-12) by ns, 7 ran.
Broadway Star (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon driven and one pace, 7th of 13, 21l behind Ballabrook (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 3yo+ (4) gs in Dec.
Seize 8-1 (11-3) Held up, chased leaders after 6 out, soon chasing winner, kept on, no impression from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Nelliedonethat (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Hill Billy Rock (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division and keen, pushed along and lost place after 8th, blundered next, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Strongpoint (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Grand Union (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 35l behind Strongpoint (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Vallani (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, one pace, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Wotchalike (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, kept on from next, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 39l behind Peters Star (10-7) at Haydock 3m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Sonara (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression, 8th of 10, well behind Broughton Green (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Spare Days 50-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 12, 31l behind Strongpoint (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
