soon tracking leaders, jumped left throughout, weakened after 10th
led, jumped well, ridden approaching last, headed flat, kept on same pace
held up, pushed along 5th, lost place from 8th, no impression after
held up, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, led flat, driven out
held up in touch, reminders after 5th, soon behind, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, blundered 9th, jumped left from 3 out, 2 lengths down in 3rd when fell last
chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, soon outpaced, left 8 lengths down in 3rd last
This contest lacks any real strength in depth and looks a virtual match between Tartan Snow and CHECKERBOARD, with preference for the latter. Howard Johnson's gelding has not had a great deal of racing but has run well in both starts this term, latterly when chasing home Silly Wupple at Wetherby. Proven with plenty of cut in the ground, the son of Alderbrook looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account over fences. Indy Mood was rated 124 over hurdles at his best but he has seemingly lost his way over the last couple of seasons. Micky Hammond's La Pantera Rosa has shown improved form of late and he is considered the best of the remainder. Tartan Snow has shown a decent level of form over hurdles and has every chance if able to translate hurdling ability to fences but lack of experience at the age of nine is of concern and preference is for Checkerboard.
Benbeoch 28-1 (10-3) Led after 1st, soon clear, not jumped well, headed 3 out, soon weakened, beaten in 4th when fell at the last in race won by Almire Du Lia (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Checkerboard (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, left poor 2nd 5 out, jumped right last 2 fences, no impression, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Silly Wupple (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in Nov.
Indy Mood 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along after 1st, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 12, 27l behind Zaffarella (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Prominent, lost place 11th, continued tailed off, 4th of 10, well behind Huckleberry (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Legal Joy 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Delightfully (11-11) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 18 ran.
Tartan Snow 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden and rallied 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead after last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Best Prospect (11-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Wee George 12-1 (10-13) Held up, headway and in touch 6th, driven and lost place 8th, behind when mistake next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Nelliedonethat (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
