headway 12th, ridden and challenged 2 out, stayed on flat, not pace of winner
held up, ridden 10th, headway approaching 11th, weakened from next, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
held up in rear, headway 12th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
ridden 12th, one pace from 3 out
held up in touch, lost place 6th, ridden and stayed on same pace from 3 out
ridden and some headway 4 out, stayed on one pace from next
mistake 3rd, one pace from 3 out
ridden and weakened from 12th, pulled up after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 10th, ridden approaching next, soon weakened and pulled up
Existential gets a narrow nod over Tom's River. He won an easier event at Fakenham in October and has been lightly raced of late, working well over fences. His stablemates have been in cracking form, as is his jockey, who's 3lb claim will be warmly welcomed. Ron Hodges' horses haven't hit top form yet, but Tom's River certainly deserves respect. His last win came at Catterick over 3m 1f in January and he is proven over the trip. Although he was beaten on his Winter debut last month, he is entitled to go better this time, with his jockey claiming 7lb off his back, which puts him bang in the handicap. Rovestar is a course specialist, who's last win was at Taunton in April. He has struggled to find form so far this season, but has bounced back from slumps in the past and ran well for this jockey before. Despite being a course winner in cracking form, Two Tears has only earned an each-way bet on this occasion. He carries a 7lb penalty for winning twice already this month and is unproven over three miles. Of the rest, only Athnowen deserves a mention. He did well in selling and claiming company last season, but may need this first run for seven months.
