tracked leaders, weakened in 16th, mistake next
held up in touch, hit 15th, headway next, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, faded approaching last
prominent, ridden and weakened 14th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, mistake at 9th, weakened next, held off when pulled before 16th
held up in touch, closer order to track leader 13th, jumped left 16th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
led, ridden 4 out, headed soon after and weakened 2 out
held up and behind, ridden from 15th, headway 17th, kept on well to keep 2 out, ran on strongly
held up and unseated rider 6th
ridden 14th, hit next and weakened and pulled before 4 out
Celtic Son looked potentially out of the top drawer earlier in the season but has disappointed of late so may be best watched in a race where preference is for Silver Birch, who gets the vote ahead of Sonevafushi. The last mentioned has shown improved form for a step up in trip of late although a disappointing effort last time at Southwell tempers enthusiasm somewhat so he may be best watched now. Black de Bessy lost no caste in defeat behind East Lawyer (runs in the 2.10pm) but may be a shade high in the weights now, while See You Sometime has been hit hard for his defeat of an out of sorts Royal Auclair here last time. All In The Stars has to defy a career high mark if he is to land this, while Iris Royal has not been at his best this term and got no further than the first fence at Sandown last time. The vote then goes to Silver Birch, who should strip fitter for his his recent return over hurdles and is taken to land this on his way to Aintree for a crack at the Grand National.
See You Sometime 18-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 10th, headed 14th, left in lead 4 out, ran on gamely, won at Wincanton 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd beating Royal Auclair (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Celtic Son (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along from after 2nd, lost touch approaching 9th, 4th of 6, well behind Justified (11-12) at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Sonevafushi (FR) 13-2 (11-12) With leaders, led 5th until headed 15th, weakened approaching 4 out and pulled up at the last in race won by A Glass In Thyne (10-12) at Southwell 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Silver Birch (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-5) Led approaching 2nd to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 13l behind Passenger Omar (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Iris Royal (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders when fell in race won by Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf, 11 ran.
Horus (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Held up, pushed along 7th, headway approaching 10th, blundered 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by A Glass In Thyne (10-12) at Southwell 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
All In The Stars (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Held up, hit 8th, ridden 13th, headway under pressure from 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Royal Auclair (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Dec.
Bathwick Annie 12-1 (11-12) Led to 3rd, in touch until weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Almost Broke (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Black de Bessy (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Prominent, hit 3rd, ridden and chased leaders after 13th, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 11, 6l behind East Lawyer (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
