held up in 5th place, steady headway from 8th, ridden to chase leading pair, led last, stayed on well
led, bumped 10th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, mistake, weakened quickly, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, ridden along from 8th, led approaching 3 out, headed next, stayed on under pressure
keen hold early in 4th place, not fluent 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
behind, jumped slow and lost touch 6th, tailed off and pulled up after 10th
keen hold, tracked leader, mistake 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, not quickened flat
The vote here has to go to Silver Birch, who - despite his trainer¿s claims that any hurdles win would be a bonus ¿ looked very competent over the smaller obstacles on his first two starts and won readily at Chepstow last time out. Today¿s longer trip will probably also be in his favour, and with bottomless conditions that he clearly loves also in the plus column he is a confident selection to follow up. Should he suffer any mishap during the three and a quarter miles, then Full On is best placed to take advantage. The gelding has the experience of two previous course outings to call upon, the best of which was when he was just touched off over half a mile shorter last time. Another who loves the mud, he can probably progress further over the extra trip and should be the one for the forecast. Of the remainder there are none who really appeal. Martin Pipe-trained Maidstone Mountie merits some respect, though after finishing last on her debut in a bumper before Christmas, it would be something of a surprise if even the maestro himself can get his charge to land this one
