held up in touch, hit 6th, ridden 4 out,weakened from 2 out
prominent, effort and headway 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened from 2 out
in touch, led 10th, ridden after 4 out, kept on gamely
led, headed 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
Jimmy Bond doesn't always find a lot for pressure but this looks a weak race and so he gets the nod, ahead of Snowy and Haut De Gamme. The last-named is on a fair mark and showed more when a decent fourth at Wetherby last month. Rated 137 at his best, Ferdy Murphy's course and distance winner certainly has solid place claims. Snowy came in from the cold when winning at Musselburgh back in December and has been given ample time to get over that race. However he would be more effective on better ground so for that reason he is passed over, along with Pillaging Pict who may be more at home in a hunter chase. Jimmy Bond is consistent, has won over course and distance previously, and will appreciate this drop in trip today. He gets the vote.
Haut de Gamme (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Held up, headway and in touch 5 out, outpaced 3 out, kept on from last, no impression, 4th of 6, 14l behind St Matthew (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Jimmy Bond 7-4fav (10-13) Mid-division, stayed on to go 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 13l behind El Andaluz (11-7) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Snowy (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Prominent, led 9th, kept on from 2 out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec beating Moment of Madness (11-4) by 9l, 7 ran.
Pillaging Pict 66-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Cobreces (12-5) at Haydock 2m 6f hts chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 6-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders, chased winner approaching last until no extra run-in, 4th of 12, 3l behind Whereareyounow (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
