behind, headway and not fluent 7th, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 9th
held up, ridden and headway 9th, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway 8th, led approaching next, clear and mistake 2 out, pushed out
in touch, ridden 8th, weakened next
mid-division, ridden approaching 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, lost place after 5th, mistake 7th, never dangerous
always towards rear, behind when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 8, went second 2 out, hit last, no chance with winner
not fluent, behind, effort approaching 7th, soon weakened
prominent, led and jumped right 5th, ridden and headed approaching 8th, kept on one pace
behind, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, never near leaders
chased leaders, ridden approaching 9th, kept on one pace
prominent, led approaching 8th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and lost place after 6th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
Any market move for the J P McManus-owned Blow Wind Blow should be noted, as he is well treated on his third at Cheltenham two seasons ago. Jonjo O'Neill only just failed to work the oracle with for the millionaire owner with Claude Greengrass at Catterick on Saturday and this one should not be ruled out even after a long absence. Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy team up with the topweight Cesaria, who for that fact alone will be fancied. At her best in testing conditions, the ex-French mare stayed on well on her reappearance, just failing to overhaul Brooklyn's Gold. Although beaten since, including on her debut over fences at Exeter, she remains one to not over timber. Mrs Duf comes from a yard doing well but failed to shine on her chase introduction and may be seen to better effect back over the smaller obstacles, while Pipe's second string Hernandita, whose only turf Flat win came at Nottingham cannot be ruled out. Highly tried on only his second outing over hurdles in the race won by Non So at Kempton, his forcing tactics may have a few of these at full-stretch on the second circuit. Jacdor was good enough to win at Cheltenham last October and has performed with credit there subsequently, but the very heavy ground has to be a worry here. Flying Gunner caught the eye on his return to the fray at Bangor and is undoubtedly well-in on his best form. Alan King's charge is a dour stayer who will relish a slog, and although his Cheltenham Festival days are probably a thing of the past, this event looks tailor-made for his style of running.
