held up in rear, headway from 10th to track leaders after 13th, carried left 3 out, led next, hit last, kept on well
led until 1st, chased leaders, went badly left 6th, led 13th, jumped badly left from next, headed and mistake 2 out, weakened
soon led, hit 7th, headed 10th, fell next
held up, headway 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led 12th until next, soon weakened
held up rear, lost touch and well behind from 10th, good headway 13th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, no extra run-in
held up, lost touch from 10th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 10th until 13th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
As with most of these races, the betting should be watched with interest but, form a shortlist containing Red Brook Lad, Sporting Chance and West Paces, we will side with West Paces. The selection has run to a reasonable level of form - certainly in the context of this contest - on his last three starts and, to be fair, this is not a strong heat. Unless the betting tells a markedly different story, we will side with him. The one that comes out best of these on official ratings is Red Brook Lad and there is no doubt that, on the face of things, he looks to hold very solid claims. However, he can miss out the odd fence, which is not a good idea around this track. Sporting Chance certainly seems to have improved of late and ought to go well again, while Prince Dundee has form enough to give him place claims, but he is not the most genuine. Much as Mollycarrs Gambul won a point-to-point race last time, her form before that was not out of the ordinary. As we say, watch the betting, but we are happy enough to side with West Paces.
Red Brook Lad 5-1 Behind, steady headway from 11th, chased leaders after 4 out, close up next, stayed on same pace before last, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Emperor Ross at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (H) gd in Feb.
Sporting Chance 25-1 Prominent, led 5th, drew clear after 3 out, stayed on well, won at N Abbot 2m 5f hts chs (H) gd in May beating Bill Me Up by 14l, 14 ran.
Apollo Victoria (FR) 100-1 Behind most of way, never dangerous, 8th of 17, 27l behind Cardenas at Newbury 2m nov hdl (B) gs in Dec '03.
Edgar Gink (IRE) 6-1 Led until ridden and headed, weakened 2 out, mistake last, 8th of 19, 29l behind Red Brook Lad at Cheltenham 2m 5f mdn hts chs (H) gd in Apr '03.
Morris Piper 4-5fav won at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp frm in Feb beating Bruthuinne by 6l, 3 ran.
Silken Thomas 20-1 5th of 6, 34l behind Bilton's Nap at Milborne St Andr 3m ptp gf in Feb.
West Paces (IRE) 3-1 won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Classify by a nk, 13 ran.
Macaroni Beach 5-1 last of 3, 16l behind Wild Knight at Badbury Rings 3m ptp frm in Feb.
Mollycarrs Gambul 7-1 won at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Little Apple Bay by 8l, 9 ran.
Prince Dundee (FR) 8-1 3rd of 12, 14l behind Mighty Montefalco at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Feb.
