held up mid-division, joined leaders 14th, one pace from 3 out
held up and mistakes, lost place 11th
held up, some headway 5 out, in 6th and one pace when unseated rider 2 out
held up towards rear, reminders 3rd, some headway 4 out, took 4th after last
chased leaders, led 4 out, headed 3 out, stayed on towards finish
held up, pushed along 8th, weakened from 14th
chased leaders, weakened 14th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, led 3 out, driven out
chased leaders, pushed along after 11th, soon lost place
mistakes in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
made most to 4 out, one pace
Chase debutant Bleu Pois would be interesting with any market support, whilst Clear The Way returns to fences after two confidence-boosting completions over hurdles, however it is GENERAL HARDI who is selected on ground that could be to his advantage. John Wade's gelding was pulled up when last seen at Doncaster in January, where he never looked happy on the ground. Surprisingly the handicapper has left him on the same mark however he has some solid form to his name (especially in late 2007) and he is fancied to get off the mark over fences. Kinfayre Boy has been in consistent form over timber, whilst Ajay has worn blinkers the last twice but it is hard to see whether they have had much effect. Jethro Tull drops in trip and this coupled with quicker ground should see him run well, but this mark of 90 makes life tough. I'm Your Man steps up in trip which could suit, however he is yet to win past 2m5f. A tough handicap, and perhaps not one that will live long in the memory, however it may do if General Hardi can gain his first career success.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, effort 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 13, 18l behind Whatdoidowiththat (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Clear The Way (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Close up on outside, led 3rd, held after 7th, soon behind, 11th of 13, well behind Minella Boys (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
I'm Your Man 13-2 (10-2) Behind, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 23l behind Eborarry (10-1) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Kinfayre Boy 15-2 (11-0) Mid-division, every chance 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 17, 13l behind Capybara (10-13) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
General Hardi 14-1 (11-1) Behind, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Just Smudge (12-1) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Ajay (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway after 6th to chase leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 41l behind Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Jethro Tull (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 18l behind Natoumba (11-3) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Paddymcgintysgoat (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Behind, outpaced 4 out, 5th and beaten when stumbled and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Overlady (10-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Garleton (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden 14th, soon beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Smart Thinker (9-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Glacial Rambler (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Panama At Once (10-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up in touch, stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Alloro (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f ldy hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb.
The Artful Fox 33-1 (10-11) Behind, struggling 17th, 6th, no chance when pulled up at the last in race won by Overlady (10-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Ngong Hills (FR) 5-1fav (10-1) Prominent, led 11th, hard pressed last, headed and just failed close home, 2nd of 16, hd behind Stagecoach Opal (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
