held up, struggling 4th, in 7th and beaten when fell 2 out
always behind
in touch, one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, lost place approaching 4th, stayed on from 4 out
with leader, led 2nd, headed 6th, weakened 5 out, pulled up after next
chased leaders, hit 6 out, hit next, led approaching last, easily
held up, hit 3 out and outpaced, mistake last, no extra
led to 2nd, remained close up, led again 6th, headed approaching last, weakened flat
Native Coll is the one to beat, Toulouse Express, Sol Run and Barney aren't without claims but we'll take a chance with Apache Brave. The selection has been well beaten in all three starts over hurdles but has an engine as he showed when winning his bumper. The yard is more readily associated with chasers than hurdlers and this is a realistic assignment for his handicap bow. Native Coll has been running well of late, he has the form in the book and has to be rated as the likeliest winner as he ticks all of the right boxes. He proved far too strong for Sol Run in January although James Ewart's runner does have time on his side. Toulouse Express has yet to win in 13 chase starts and Barney is also opposable on the balance of his form. This won't take a great deal of winning and we'll take a chance with Apache Brave at a price.
Apache Brave (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 18th of 22, 41l behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Oliverjohn (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 5th of 9, 33l behind Brandy Wine (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Watch The Wind 14-1 (10-10) Always behind, tailed off when fell 2 out in race won by Loch Oscaig (11-2) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) With leaders until weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Tom's Toybox (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Crofton Arch 25-1 (10-10) With leaders, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Neutrino (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov, 10 ran.
Native Coll 9-2 (10-0) Led to 3rd, led again 6th, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Something Silver (11-6) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Sol Run (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, lost place 5th, soon ridden, behind when fell 3 out in race won by Stormont Dawn (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Barney (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Led until headed after 2 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Snow's Ride (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct, 14 ran.
Kiwijimbo (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, well behind Tartan Snow (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
