behind, weakened from 7th
tracked leaders until weakened approaching 8th
tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened from next
in touch, ridden and weakened after 8th
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
towards rear, hit 3rd, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened
soon led, driven out from 2 out, drew clear
With slight reservations about the stamina of Tell Henry and Endless Power, we will take them on today and instead side with Return Ticket, with Water Taxi a danger back over the smaller obstacles. The selection won despite a final flight error at Newcastle under similar conditions and having run well over course and distance before, he looks the value call in an open contest. A 7lb rise in the weights will make life tougher but he has looked more at home since dropped to this trip and with the stable in form, he gets the vote. Water Taxi has fallen on his last two runs over fences but reverts back to hurdles today in the hope of restoring some confidence. Tell Henry dotted up over the bare two miles last time out but has been found out over this trip before so he is passed over, along with Endless Power who we have similar reservations about. Junkanoo is of more interest now dropped in trip and looks a threat with his capable jockey's 7lb claim, whilst Carapuce is a course and distance winner so shouldn't be discarded lightly. Overall, we will tentatively side with Lucinda Russell's Return Ticket to land the spoils.
Junkanoo 22-1 (11-0) Always behind, 13th of 16, well behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Overserved 12-1 (11-6) In touch, effort 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 11, well behind Camden Bella (9-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Carapuce (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to chase leaders 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 5th of 11, 26l behind Camden Bella (9-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Water Taxi 6-1 (11-1) fell at the 2nd in race won by Officier De Reserve (10-8) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Feb, 5 ran.
Tell Henry (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Made all, clear from 3 out, won at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec beating Gunadoir (10-7) by 11l, 9 ran.
Return Ticket 7-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 5th, led approaching 3 out, mistake last, ridden out, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan beating Ever So Slightly (10-9) by 2l, 11 ran.
Endless Power (IRE) 11-4fav (10-3) Tracked leader, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, ridden from last, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Brave Vision (10-3) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
