keen, chased leader, led 2nd to 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden to lead after 3 out, clear when hit 2 out, stayed on well
behind, headway after 6th, every chance after 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
mid-division, jumped right 1st, hung left bend after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, not fluent 2nd, lost place approaching 7th, behind when mistake 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, chased leader, hit 3rd, lost place and mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
held up, effort 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 6th, mistake next, ridden approaching 3 out, 4th and no chance when mistake last
chased leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, kept on one pace
Cedar looks to hold good enough claims here and he gets the vote ahead of mainly Eastwell Violet, although the betting should be monitored for clues. The Robin Dickin-trained selection holds a clear chance here on official adjusted ratings and, basically, if he puts it all in, must go close. The first-time blinkers are on today and could well help in this respect, although they will need to. Little Brave has had only two runs over hurdles but, if he retains some of the ability that has seen him win six times on the Flat, he would hold claims in this poor race. Watch the betting with regard to Monbonami, who is dropped to this grade for the first time over hurdles, and it could be interesting that Mr Bill is debuting over hurdles in this seller. Keep an eye also on Eastwell Violet, who drops down in grade and back in trip today, while Fille Detente's Uttoxeter run two runs ago reads well in the context of this race, and Ginger McCain's lightly-raced Chickapeakray might have better to come. Overall, though, in a puzzler, we will stick with Cedar.
Cedar 7-2 Led, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 8, 40l behind Ask The Umpire at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (G) hvy in Mar.
Little Brave 80-1 Held up mid-division, outpaced 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 16, 27l behind Crackleando at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Monbonami (IRE) 12-1 Prominent to 6th, behind when slow jump 10th and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Ask The Umpire at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (G) hvy in Mar, 8 ran.
Blow Me Down 80-1 In touch, weakened 5th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Margarets Wish at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
Eastwell Violet 25-1 Not fluent and always behind, 7th of 12, 37l behind Shower Of Hail at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn hdl (F) gd.
Fille Detente 12-1 Struggling from 4th, tailed off, 17th of 19, well behind Barneys Reflection at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd.
Chickapeakray 16-1 Mid-division, ridden 7th, soon behind, 5th of 10, 17l behind Caper at Hereford 2m 3f nov sll hdl (G) gf in Mar.
Denarius Secundus 8-1 Held up in touch, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 26l behind Philippa Yeates at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) sft in Mar.
