prominent, ridden after 3 out, one pace after
prominent, not fluent 1st, led 3rd, jumped right 3 out, soon headed, weakening when blundered badly 2 out
held up in touch, hung right on bend approaching 5th, behind 6th, fell 3 out
held up towards rear, progress from 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
held up in touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression
mid-division, headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
took keen hold, led until jumped right 3rd, not fluent 4th, losing place when pulled up before 6th
not jump well, always behind, tailed off when blundered badly 3 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, clear when hit 2 out, easily
prominent, lost place 5th, soon behind
held up, jumped slowly 2nd, never near leaders
held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, weakening when hampered 2 out
A competitive contest gets proceedings underway and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Spirit Of New York, Viper and Brave Broncho and the narrow vote is given to Spirit Of New York. The selection was a fair sort in bumpers and over fences when last seen, returns to hurdles in what looks an open race and in the hope that he is fit after a 479 day absence he is given the nod. Viper rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Mountain Oscar with a little in hand, this is tougher under his penalty but at least he is on an upward curve. Brave Broncho is another that could go well as he was a fair fourth on his debut behind Back On Line, he is sure to have learnt from the experience but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. Of the remainder Saint Godegrand is another with place claims on his best form but he took a heavy fall last time out so can not be put forward with any confidence while Lady Roisin is from a shrewd yard and should be noted in the market but for the winner we return to Spirit Of New York.
Saint Godegrand (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 10th, mistake 13th, ridden when fell 4 out in race won by Fast Forward (11-4) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Viper 8-1 (11-2) Prominent, led briefly 3rd, left in lead after 6th, ridden 2 out, clear last, won at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Mountain Oscar (11-2) by 9l, 16 ran.
Beths Choice 200-1 (11-5) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Predateur (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Brave Broncho (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, no impression on leaders approaching 3 out, passed weakening rivals after next, 4th of 11, 35l behind Back On Line (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Harry's Lane 20-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 4 out; wl bhnd when pulled up in race won by Breeze To The Top (12-0) at Cottenham 2m 4f ptp gd in Jan, 13 ran.
High Jack (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 13, 40l behind Snow Patrol (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Master Bell 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division until weakened 6th, 8th of 12, well behind Oslot (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
More Good Times Morpeth gelding out of an unraced mare.
Peggy's Boy 66-1 (11-3) Mid-division until 6th, soon behind, 8th of 12, 34l behind Pur De Sivola (10-7) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Petit Turk (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed 5th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 49l behind Darizan (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Rhymney Bitter Boy Alderbrook gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Spirit of New York (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up, hit 2nd, not fluent 5th, behind from 9th, 5th of 10, 31l behind The Listener (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (B) sft in Dec '05.
Tanners Den 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until weakened 5th, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Lady Roisin (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, under pressure before 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 18, 22l behind Enforce (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
She's The Lady 66-1 (11-4) Pulled hard, led after 2f, headed over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 17th of 18, well behind Karello Bay (11-4) at Sandown 2m mrs lst nhf (1) sft in Mar '06.
