soon close up, headway to 3rd before 4 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up, blundered 7th, headway 9th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off
always behind, tailed off when fell 2 out
keen, led after 1st until 5th, chased winner, hit 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
prominent, driven along before 9th, hit next, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, driven and mistake 6th, under pressure after 8th, soon struggling
led until after 1st, chased leader, led again 5th, in command from 3 out, stayed on well
held up, headway 8th, chased leading trio 10th, stayed on same pace after 4 out
Big Burrows is better than we have seen from him so far this term having failed to complete in both outings over fences but Ferdy Murphy's gelding cannot be backed with any confidence and a safer option looks to be KNOCKAVILLA, who is marginally preferred to Dontpaytheferryman. Brian Ellison's gelding was highly tried but well held in the Imperial Cup off a mark of 121 last month and the five-year-old has to be of interest making his debut over fences this afternoon. The Maurice Barnes-trained Follow On has shown some ability over hurdles and would have claims if able to build on that form over the larger obstacles and he has to be considered but more solid claims are held Magellan Straits. Sue Smith has her team in good from at present and the son of Nikos has to be respected on his first start since December having already had a couple of starts over fences. The vote though goes the way Howard Johnson's Knockavilla, who showed gradual improvement over fences last term and should take all the beating if ready for his seasonal reappearance.
Another Dark Rum 25-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Panama At Once (11-0) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Big Burrows (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) In rear, headway approaching 5 out, weakened next, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Ernst Blofeld (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Braden Brook (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Shadrack (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Deer Fin (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened 7th, behind next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Oscar Honey (11-1) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 50-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression, 8th of 23, 25l behind Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar.
Ellandshe (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Led, blundered and headed 4th, chased winner until 4 out, kept on no chance, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Noble Alan (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Mar.
Follow On 20-1 (9-11) Behind outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, last of 8, 28l behind Well Disguised (9-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Knockavilla (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Tracked leader until 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Fred Bojangals (10-13) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Magellan Straits 7-1 (10-11) Towards rear, blundered 10th, soon behind, 10th of 14, 28l behind Double Vodka (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
