chased leaders, hit 9th, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced by front pair
in touch, driven along 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, well beaten when jumped right last
led, hit 8th, hung left approaching last, jumped right, headed towards finish
chased leader, hit 4 out, lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened soon after
held up in rear, ridden and struggling approaching 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, closed approaching last, driven ahead towards finish
held up, reminders approaching 6th, mistake next, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up, ridden and struggling approaching 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
Nonrunner
Scots Dragoon, Never So Blue stand out in this contest although it's not inconceivable that Mossville and Silencio could take a hand. Scots Dragoon is confidently selected. Nicky Henderson's grey gelding didn't show a great deal last term but he has done nothing but improve this season and should have a bit more in his kit bag. He returned a beaten favourite at Sandown last time but it was the drop in trip that beat him rather than the handicapper and he's expected to prove too strong for this opposition despite having another 5lbs to carry. Never So Blue has enjoyed a profitable season over fences, winning four of his six starts but he was making the most of a lower mark in that sphere and he had looked handicapped to the hilt when last seen over hurdles. He will need to improve to win from this mark but he may well be an improved performer and is respected. Silencio may improve for this trip but was essentially disappointing last time, Mossville should give a good account and Herecomestanley and Drumbeater are worthy of consideration but Scots Dragoon should take a world of beating.
Fountain Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, hit 11th, went left and blundered badly 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up in race won by Double Dizzy (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Silencio (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, in 4th when blundered last, 4th of 7, 19l behind Flake (10-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Feb.
Migwell (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, some progress 5th, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out, 9th of 14, well behind Pocket Aces (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Mossville (FR) 6-1 (10-6) Led until 4th, remained prominent, chased leaders 3 out, led approaching next, stayed on strongly under pressure flat, won at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Cardinal Spirit (10-5) by 6l, 10 ran.
Herecomestanley 14-1 (10-12) Towards rear, effort from 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 9l behind Pocket Aces (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Scots Dragoon 9-4fav (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Pagano (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Drumbeater (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, lost place 7th, not fluent next, hampered 4 out, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mossville (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Goodnight Tom 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led going well after 2 out, pushed out, won at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul '06 beating Shining Joy (11-0) by 4l, 15 ran.
Never So Blue (FR) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders until lost place 10th, ridden and headway 12th, challenging when fell 3 out in race won by Even More (11-1) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
