tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden next, one pace approaching last
chased leaders, headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure flat
held up and behind, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, soon ridden, held when hit last, no extra
tracked leaders, headway 4th, led next, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
always behind, outpaced 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, driven to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, behind when pulled up before next
Nonrunner
Connections will clearly feel that they have a great chance of breaking Polar Gunner's hurdling duck here, and we see no reason to disagree with them, while Assumetheposition and Donovan could be the ones to complete the formalities. Rated 105 of fences, Polar Gunner lines up for this hurdle contest off a mark of 86. Trip and ground should suit, though he wouldn't want it drying out too much, and at over a stone in hand on his chase form, he has a winning chance here. Assumetheposition is another who likes to get his toe in. He drops back in trip here after winning over 2m 4f on heavy ground at Newcastle last time, but he should not be unduly inconvenienced, having previously finished runner-up over two miles at the same track. Trainer Richard Guest remains in form, so don't dismiss this one out of hand, but on balance he has plenty to find. The same can be said of stablemate Donovan at these weights, but he too has the ability to go well in such a contest, and with any drying of the ground in his favour, he may be the one if the selection fails to reproduce his chase form over the smaller obstacles. But Polar Gunner will be full of confidence at present, and we are equally so in naming him as our choice here.
Lunar Dram 100-1 Led to 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 9l behind Jorobaden at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Dark Ben (FR) 12-1 In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 47l behind Welsh Dream at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Feb.
Assumetheposition (FR) 7-2 Held up, headway to lead 4 out, ridden and under pressure 2 out, kept on from last, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) hvy in Feb beating Ringside Jack by 2l, 15 ran.
Aelred 40-1 Held up, always behind, 8th of 9, 23l behind Mighty Fine at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs.
Polar Gunner 15-8fav Chased leader, led 7th, ridden after 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft beating Loriko D'airy by 6l, 5 ran.
Venturemore 100-1 Pulled hard in rear, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Bewleys Berry at Hexham 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Casterflo 40-1 Held up, ridden approaching 5th, soon struggling, 13th of 15, well behind Clouding Over at Catterick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs.
Donovan (NZ) 4-1fav Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, one pace flat, 5th of 17, 2l behind Ipledgeallegiance at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Jan.
