held up, hit 3rd, headway 7th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
always towards rear, hampered 2nd
held up, pulled hard, blundered, unseated rider 7th
chased leaders, good headway to lead after 3 out, clear next
chased leaders in 3rd when fell 2nd
led, mistake 3 out, soon headed, weakened next
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner
chased leaders, blundered badly 6th, soon weakened
Brave Rebellion gets the confident vote in this maiden chase with Persian Point and Upswing rated as the main dangers. The selection has proved a little frustrating to follow and finished third behind Nine De Sivola on this track last time. However, that was over a much longer trip than this and the drop to 2m should be the key to him getting his head in front on this occasion. Persian Point rates the main danger as he was a fair third behind Cedar Rapids over this course and distance last time. However, he looks exposed in comparison to our selection and for that reason we will take him on. Upswing would have claims on the pick of his form and he is lightly-raced over fences, but his jumping left a lot to be desired last time out and for that reason we will oppose him. Gaucho should prove best of the remainder, but for the winner we will stick with Brave Rebellion who should take plenty of beating.
Brave Rebellion 9-2 (10-12) Held up in touch and keen, hit 1st, headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 26l behind Nine De Sivola (11-3) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Gaucho 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leader to 6th, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 9, 41l behind Nifty Roy (10-3) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Nicozetto (FR) 150-1 (11-4) Led until headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 13th of 15, well behind Masafi (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Persian Point 12-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, outpaced 3 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cedar Rapids (10-11) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Upswing 7-2 (10-4) Held up in rear, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Just A Touch (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Viking Song 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 7th, outpaced 10th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Vicario (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Neuro (FR) (10-1) Led to halfway, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 32l behind Neobis (10-6) at Angers 2m 3f chs in Nov.
Minouchka (FR) 11-1 (10-4) Towards rear, lost touch halfway, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Stormy Lord (11-7) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (B) sft in Mar '05, 8 ran.
Twist N Turn 11-2 (9-9) Mid-division, hampered 7th, headway 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 12, 18l behind Glen Thyne (10-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Filey Flyer 25-1 (11-9) Always behind, 8th of 13, 33l behind West Hill (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
