led until 5 out, soon ridden, switched right approaching 2 out, ran on strongly final 75 yards, just failed
prominent, led 5 out, ridden after next, just held on
held up 4th, hit 6th, beaten when blundered and unseated rider 5 out
chased leaders, effort after 5 out, held from 3 out, mistake last
Venetia Williams has her string in fine form at present and her runner here Something Wells should be too classy for his three rivals, getting the verdict ahead of Warpath and The Preacher. The last mentioned looked held when unseating over hurdles last time but still has more solid claims than Lady Purton, who has given little sign of encouragement so far. In what is little more than a match, the Evan Williams-trained Warpath has solid claims on the evidence of his defeat of Michabo at Ludlow in October but has been absent since disappointing when pulled up at Newbury in December. The break since may have done him good but it is hard to get away from Something Wells, given that he has the best form and that the stable's runners are in such good form.
Something Wells (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Led, hit 3rd, headed 4th, in touch when fell at the 8th in race won by Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Warpath (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Led until approaching 7th, under pressure 12th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kelrev (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
The Preacher 25-1 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Misbehaviour (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (5) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Lady Purton 50-1 (10-7) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 11, 42l behind Red Perfection (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs in Mar.
