mid-division, headway approaching 13th, ridden 3 out, held when left clear flat
in touch, ridden after 13th, gradually weakened from 4 out
mid-division, ridden after 12th, never troubled leaders
held up, lost touch from 12th
mid-division when fell 6th
in touch, blundered and unseated rider 9th
always behind, fell 4 out
This doesn't look a strong race by any means and provides a welcome opportunity for Man Murphy to resume winning ways. Mary Reveley's gelding has some useful hurdling form to his name but appears even better over the larger obstacles having rattled up a four-timer before fading in a classy affair at Haydock last time. The seven-year-old faces nothing of that calibre here and, with conditions in his favour, it will be disappointing if he cannot concede weight to inferior rivals. Decoded was a winner over fences at Kelso in October but is exposed and has plenty to find with the selection on these terms while Camp Hill was beaten in a handicap (off a mark of 84) when unseating his rider last time. Falchion boasts some respectable hurdling form to his name and has shown ability in three placed efforts over the larger obstacles this season so is the choice for the forecast.