tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out, pressed before last, kept on towards finish (demoted to 2nd)
led, headed 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, kept on towards finish (awarded race)
tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced 6 out, tailed off 4 out
Donald McCain enjoys an excellent record here but Minella Trump faces a tough task. The gelding lost his unbeaten record when beaten by an in-form Annsam at Catterick last month and now has to contend with THE CASHEL MAN. The Henderson charge has improved dramatically this term and was only beaten 1.5l by the very highly-rated Thyme Hill in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle. This looks a straightforward opportunity before he presumably makes his way to the Cheltenham Festival. Battlefield only needs to complete to pick up prize money.
Minella Trump (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Raced on inside, tracked leader, tracked winner from 3rd, lost 2nd briefly and flattened 6th, ridden before 2 out, well held, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Annsam (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
The Cashel Man (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Jumped slickly, led, joined when stumbled 2 out, soon ridden, headed approaching the last, stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Thyme Hill (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Battlefield (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Prominent, hit 5th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 10, 32 1/2l behind Le Cameleon (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
