held up, left in lead 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on
towards rear, carried left 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, mistake 5th, losing place when jumped badly left 9th, tailed off next, pulled up before 13th
tracked leaders, reminders 9th, weakened 11th
tracked leader, led 7th, mistake 13th, headed 14th, weakened 3 out, virtually pulled up flat
led, headed 7th, led again 14th, headed and blundered 3 out, soon ridden and no impression from last
held up, mistake 2nd, joined leaders and every chance when unseated rider 3 out
keen, in touch, weakened 14th
NATIONAL PETITION is a confident call in this contest with Salsero and Jacarado put up as the dangers. The selection dotted up at Hereford just four days ago and with the handicapper only able to punish that with a small penalty, the bookmakers are unlikely to be taking too many chances. Salsero put up a fair effort in a similar contest at the course last time out. A weak race is there for the taking but this does not look to be it. Jacarado is very exposed though has become something of a course specialist in recent years. Blunham Hill has been beaten by two cricket scores in his last two starts. Fisherman Jack is greatly flattered by his second at Fontwell earlier in the month as he was effectively left in that position by the demise of others. Anshabil has shown little of note since leaving Alan King. The Langer is much better than his recent line of form suggests. Hard to get away from National Petition and we seek not to.
National Petition (IRE) 6-5fav (9-12) In touch, mistake and stumbled 10th, tracked leader from 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, idled close home, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) beating Shifting Alliance (10-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Anshabil (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Led, not fluent and headed fifth, mistake 10th, blundered 11th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Cybora (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Blunham Hill (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, weakened 13th, 7th of 9, well behind Plum Pudding (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Follow The Flow (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, ridden and behind from 12th, tailed off, 4th of 10, 45l behind Little Shilling (10-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Jacarado (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until 11th, weakened 14th, 5th of 10, 18l behind Pop Ahead (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Ross Leader (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Led to 10th, chased leader, every chance under pressure 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened, 4th of 10, 26l behind National Petition (11-9) at Folkestone 3m 1f cnd hcp chs (5) sft.
Salsero (FR) 3-1jt-fav (11-12) Took keen hold, held up in close touch, chased winner from 10th, challenged 2 out, held from last, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Lutin Collonges (10-6) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Star Glow 20-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 7th of 15, well behind Wild Ground (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
The Langer (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, weakened 11th, lost touch next, 5th of 7, well behind Syncopated Rhythm (10-8) at Hereford 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Fisherman Jack 10-1 (11-6) Left in lead 2nd, soon driven along, headed approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, left 2nd last, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Kappelhoff (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
