led, hit 8th, headed 10th, hit 4 out, beaten approaching 2 out, left moderate 2nd last
chased leaders, weakening approaching 11th, left 4th 3rd last
with leader, led 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening and 8 lengths down in 2nd when fell last
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, reminders after 6th, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led 2 out, clear from last
Ouzbeck is the tentative suggestion but both he and Berings Express have had their problems in the last twelve months and aren't solid propositions. Piran may be more reliable but it's questionable whether he's good enough to concede weight to the aforementioned pair if they're at their best. Ouzbeck looked promising at first but he completely lost his way until bouncing back to score gamely at Market Rasen last time. Connections said that he had shown signs of coming back to himself prior to that display so he may be able to go on from there and make a winning chase debut. Berings Express made a decent impression when winning a bumper on debut but has failed to live up to expectations and now has plenty to prove. He's still a young horse though and fences may be the making of him. Scotland Yard goes well on this quicker ground and is entitled to be in the mix whilst Piran stayed on to win well over a slightly longer trip at Worcester last time. He does have to carry a penalty for that success but that doesn't rule him out by any means. An interesting heat with Ouzbeck the suggestion.
Piran (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Made all, pushed along when mistake 3 out, clear next, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd beating Go West (11-0) by 11l, 9 ran.
Scotland Yard (UAE) 2-1jt-fav (10-7) Held up in touch, hit 4 out, soon ridden, challenged after 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Montevideo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Apr.
Berings Express (FR) 2-1 (11-8) Keen hold, in touch, headway 6th, closed after 3 out, driven and no impression between last 2, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Psychomodo (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Flying Jody (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Led, headed approaching 5th, remained close up until weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 13, well behind Master Somerville (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
Ouzbeck (FR) 15-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, challenged last, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Qulinton (10-9) by a hd, 13 ran.
For His Sins (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway after 8th, weakened approaching 10th, 6th of 11, well behind The Sliotar (11-8) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
