held up 3rd and last, went 2nd 9th, shaken up after 3 out, challenged when hit next, edged right and led flat, ridden out
tracked leader to 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace under pressure from next, no impression with leading pair
led, hung right under pressure approaching 2 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on, always held
Nonrunner
Disappointingly just the four runners line up for this novices' chase in which it is probably worth giving another chance to WOOLCOMBE FOLLY, who finished last of the 12 runners in the Arkle last month but had earlier shown a decent level of form on his first start since October 2008 when just getting the better of I'm Delilah at Doncaster and he can resume winning ways with the main dangers rated as Safari Journey and Pigeon Island. The last mentioned won the Grand Annual off a mark of 129 before disappointing off his new mark at Aintree last week and he should appreciate the return to novice company but may find this race coming too soon for him after his exertions in those last two races. Line Artic looks to be going the right way but needs to improve significantly to trouble the judge and of more interest may be Safari Journey. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding disappointed at Aintree last time but had previously run well behind Pigeon Island here and he has every chance of reversing form from that day, meeting that rival on 7lb better terms. Woolcombe Folly was easily the pick of these over hurdles and will take all the beating if able to show the same level of form that he showed at Doncaster.
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Behind, pecked 5th, hit 8th, never dangerous, last of 12, 34l behind Sizing Europe (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Safari Journey (USA) 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, not fluent when towards rear 8th, behind when blundered 4 out, 12th of 16, well behind Chaninbar (10-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Line Artic (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Made all, hit 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) gd in Mar beating Suntini (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Pigeon Island 11-1 (10-13) In rear, mistake 6th, soon ridden along, never in contention, 9th of 16, 43l behind Chaninbar (10-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
