in touch chasing group, headway 12th, went 2nd next, led 2 out, soon clear, eased flat
behind, struggling 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
chased clear leader, headway to lead after 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace, no impression
in touch chasing group, reminders 9th, soon struggling, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before last
held up, not fluent 8th, headway to chase leader 12th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led and soon clear, blunderd 10th, headed after 12th, weakened quickly and pulled up after next
Nonrunner
Contact Dancer has had plenty of chances over fences, having been placed eight times in 14 starts over the larger obstacles, is hard to back with great confidence but Peter Bowen's gelding may be worth one final chance today in a race where the opposition does not look that strong and he gets the vote ahead of Firth Of Forth and BallaBriggs. The last mentioned has shown ability over fences, most notably when chasing home Wee Forbees at Catterick in January but he is yet to prove that he stays this far so looks best watched. Jim Old's Freddies Return is less exposed than most of these and makes more appeal than Bauhaus, who looks a doubtful stayer over this trip. Jonjo O'Neill's Firth Of Forth has been pulled up in his last three starts but has claims on earlier form. However, it is hard to get away from Contact Dancer, who may be capable of finally gaining a well deserved first success over fences.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, chased winner 2 out, no extra last, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Brandy Wine (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Bauhaus (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, soon in touch, jumped slowly 13th, chased leaders 3 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 17l behind I'm Supreme (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led until after 2nd, remained prominent, not fluent 13th, slightly outpaced 4 out, rallied last, stayed on flat to close on winner, always held, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind The Sawyer (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft.
Firth Of Forth (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) In rear, hit 7th, weakened after 12th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Himalayan Trail (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Flemen Loon (IRE) 125-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not jump well, under pressure 5th, soon tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Cathedral Rock (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Nolwenn (FR) 50-1 (11-8) Held up when fell in race won by Pee Jay's Dream (11-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb '07, 16 ran.
Freddies Return (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 7th, effort approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 15, 21l behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
