held up towards rear, reminders after 8th, chased leading pair from 3 out, no impression
in rear, weakened after 5 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, in rear from 5th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, weakened next
led to 8th, led narrowly after 5 out, headed next, not fluent 3 out, one pace from after 2 out
tracked leader, led 8th, headed narrowly after 5 out, led next, clear approaching last
FINNEY came crashing down when travelling nicely last time and can gain compensation if none the worse for it, with Mr Woods and Ginolad rated best of the rest. Oliver Sherwood has had a quiet season but Finney may just give him something to smile about as, rated 130, he's the one they all have to beat here. That rating is based largely on the race he was running last time when he looked set to ask a big question of Hey Big Spender, now rated 146. Second that day was Fistral Beach who has gone on to better things and in behind was a horse called Quinz who romped home in a handicap hurdle a few weeks back; ultimately, the form looks rock solid and if our selection can jump better and copes with the ground which he should then he'll take all the beating. Mr Woods has a little to find at the weights but won cosily last time under the improving James Reveley. That was over course and distance and, whilst he probably is better on faster ground, he certainly copes with cut and could take a good second. Ginolad is another to consider having done pretty well since arriving from Australia. Venetia Williams' gelding won nicely on his first start at Fontwell and while he's not done so well since he did travel nicely to a point last time, suggesting this drop in distance will help bring about some improvement. Youngstown jumped poorly when finding a big field Cheltenham contest too hot last time but he can be forgiven that and has claims of sorts, although his penalty does make life tougher and as Heez A Steel has plenty to find we'll stick with Finney who could be a cut above these.
Youngstown (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Always behind, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Poker De Sivola (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar, 18 ran.
Finney 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 12th, reminder next, well there when blundered and fell 4 out, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Ginolad (AUS) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked winner, led before 3 out, not fluent and headed next, soon weakened, last of 4, 16l behind Song Sung Blue (11-4) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) hvy in Mar.
Mr Woods 13-8fav (11-0) Led to 7th, left in lead again on paddock bend soon after, made rest, hit 10th, driven 2 out, 3 lengths clear last, eased down towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Mar beating Logans Run (11-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Behind, headway and in touch 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, stayed on under pressure flat, 5th of 15, 17l behind Mister Marker (10-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
