in touch, reminders 5th, outpaced 10th, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway 10th, ridden and kept on from 3 out, no impression
chased leaders, outpaced 14th, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
held up, behind, headway and in touch 10th, not fluent next, soon ridden and beaten, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 7th, no danger after
chased leaders, reminders 8th, soon outpaced, no danger after
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 12th, kept on from 3 out, no impression
chased leaders, outpaced 14th, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from 3 out
tracked leader, led after 9th, made rest, drew clear from 3 out
led to after 9th, chased winner, challenged 14th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, kept on same pace
not fluent, in touch, outpaced 12th, soon beaten
chased leaders to 10th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
The admirably tough Strong Resolve gets the nod over Shannon's Pride and Sharp Belline, while Touch Closer is also respected as a threat in this company. Touch Closer should cope with the conditions and is due a good run after a couple of below par efforts. His jockey helps his cause with a 5lb claim, yet the gelding still faces a tough ask under top weight. Sharp Belline seems to have lost his way a touch since he won a quick brace over fences last December. And, although capable of a bold show, he still looks a little high in the weights. Similar comments apply to Shannon's Pride, who has the ability to be a force at this level. Richard Guest has enjoyed a good spell of late and it would come as no surprise to see this fellow attract plenty of interest in the betting market. However, preference is given to Strong Resolve, who is easily the most reliable performer in the line up. Lucinda Russell's charge likes to race with the pace and jumps for fun. He is fancied to make this a test too far for the rest.
Touch Closer 18-1 (10-0) Towards rear and mistakes, some progress 16th, soon weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Ladalko (11-1) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Marble Garden (USA) 250-1 (11-10) Always behind, well in rear and no chance when fell 17th fell at the 17th in race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Hot Weld 7-1 (11-3) Soon led, headed 3rd, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Undeniable (10-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Led until headed 8th and stayed in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Morgan Be (11-9) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Underwriter (USA) 10-11fav (11-12) Chased leading pair, not fluent early, effort approaching 2 out, soon beaten, last of 3, 15l behind Latimer's Place (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.
Devil's Run (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) With leader until weakened 14th, 7th of 16, 48l behind Nil Desperandum (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 16l behind Ice Tea (10-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Prince of Slane 13-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, mistake 8th and 9th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Profowens (10-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Harlov (FR) 40-1 (10-5) Towards rear, struggling 14th, soon tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Bellaney Jewel (9-11) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar.
Elvis Returns 10-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, lost place 9th, no danger after, 6th of 10, 19l behind Liverpool Echo (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Tracked leader, led 8th, mistake and reminder 12th, outpaced 4 out, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Silver Jack (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar.
Alfy Rich 4-1 (11-9) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, beaten when pulled up at the last in race won by Posh Stick (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Pillaging Pict 11-4 (10-2) Led, headed 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Snowy (10-10) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Mar.
