held up towards rear, jumped right 5th, mistake 8th, headway on outside after 11th, blundered 3 out, weakening when fell 2 out
prominent, ridden when not fluent 4 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
mid-division, no progress from 11th, weakened approaching 4 out
mid-division, headway when blundered 4th, led last, headed and no extra flat
jumped right, led until after 2nd, chased leader, mistake 3rd, weakened after 11th, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway on inside 8th, outpaced approaching 4 out, hung left between last 2, stayed on flat
held up, never on terms
prominent, led 10th, headed last, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden and lost place 5th, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 9th
mid-division, headway 8th, edged right approaching last, led flat, stayed on under pressure flat
mid-division, headway on inside after 6th, ridden before 3 out, weakened approaching 3 out
led after 2nd, headed 10th, ridden and weakened after 11th
jumped right, held up, ridden 9th, soon struggling
In a tricky race, Snipe is selected ahead of Romney Marsh and Major Blade. Romney Marsh came from off a strong pace to win at Towcester last time and may have had the race run to suit. She has not always proven the most reliable but, if in the same sort of mood as when in Northamptonshire, should go well. Drummosie is fairly weighted if getting back to the form of last spring, although he has been lightly raced since and maybe is not quite the same force. Snipe has a chance on his summer form and he's had a recent blow, while Major Blade ran well from today's mark in first-time blinkers last time and is another to consider. Coralbrook has not looked as good over fences as over hurdles yet, while Mistral de la Cour has shown enough from his current mark in his last two runs, both on quicker going, to be be given place claims. Finally, Rich Song is on a winning mark from last summer so keep an eye on the betting. All in all, not the most compelling of contests with the selection given as Snipe.
Romney Marsh 33-1 (10-10) Held up from behind, well detached 9th, headway after 3 out, led going well just before last, drew easily clear flat, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar beating Lusaka De Pembo (11-9) by 10l, 11 ran.
Drumossie (AUS) 16-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kercabellec (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Snipe 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden when jumped left 13th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, 38l behind Lucky Luk (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Oct.
Major Blade (GER) 3-1jt-fav (10-4) In touch, chased winner 4 out, every chance 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Karoo (9-10) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Coralbrook 11-2 (11-7) Chased leader to 4th, lost place 6th, badly hampered 7th, no chance after, pulled up after 8th pulled up in race won by Gerrard (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 7-2 (9-13) Not fluent, behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Dead Mans Dante (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Fireaway 14-1 (10-2) Close up, ridden 8th, soon lost touch, last of 5, well behind Cool Roxy (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Fight The Feeling 8-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 11th, struggling after 4 out, 5th of 7, 32l behind Metal Detector (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Woodwish (FR) 16-1 (9-9) Held up, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, well behind Loulou Nivernais (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Rich Song (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) In touch, closer order 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 20l behind Karoo (9-10) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Presenting Alf (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 9th, soon behind, 7th of 14, 26l behind Whatcanyasay (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Thyne Supreme (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) In touch, weakened 7th, soon behind, 8th of 11, well behind Rehearsal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Esendi 5-1 (12-5) 3rd of 10, 20l behind Silver Streak (12-5) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gd in May '05.
Find The Way (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Held up, jumped right 6th, behind from 4 out, last of 5, 29l behind Pearl King (11-7) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf.
