keen, led approaching 3rd, mistake and headed after 4th, mistake 7th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 9th
in touch, ridden 8th, weakened 12th, tailed off
held up in touch, ridden approaching 5 out, hard ridden to lead flat, stayed on
prominent, led 3rd to 5th, led 12th until mistake and headed 14th, soon ridden, weakened flat
held up, headway 5th, ridden and weakened 13th, tailed off
always behind, tailed off
always well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
led to approaching 3rd, led again 8th to 12th, led briefly 13th, led 5 out, ridden last, headed flat, no extra close home
held up, headway 5th, hit 7th, effort 13th, headway 4 out, hit last, weakened flat
in rear, slow jump 3rd, ridden 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
A chance is taken with Threes Company, who can once again confirm his superiority over Dun Locha Castle despite being wrong at the weights today. Isou and Belski also have bits and pieces of form that brings them into the argument but have poor runs from last time to put behind them before they can be confidently recommended. Dun Locha Castle will no doubt tempt a fair bit of support after winning here eleven days ago. However, he is now 6lb higher in the weights and, with the drop in trip not guaranteed to suit, he could be worth taking on today. Especially when consideration of how easily he was brushed aside by the selection at Folkestone is factored in. Admittedly John Best's charge is of very modest ability and his connections have done well to actually get him into a race from his current mark. However, he has already proved that he could be a little better than his present rating would suggest and, as he has been given a chance by the handicapper, he appeals as good each-way value in a race that lacks any real strength in depth.
Belski 12-1 Prominent, mistake 12th and ridden, lost touch 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Even More at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Montu 33-1 Mid-division, ridden 11th, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 47l behind Fearless Mel at Taunton 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Commanche Jim (IRE) 10-3fav Chased leaders, ridden and struggling when mistake 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Co Optimist at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Dun Locha Castle (IRE) 6-1 Prominent, led 3rd, headed 5th, led again 9th, clear 4 out, not fluent last, ridden out flat, won at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd beating Jack Of Spades by 1l, 12 ran.
Ashgreen 9-2 In touch, ridden when hit 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Stand Easy at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) sft, 8 ran.
Isou (FR) 3-1jt-fav In touch, mistake 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Headliner at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Andy's Lad (IRE) 16-1 Always towards rear, 12th of 17, well behind Irish Blessing at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd.
Silent Gunner 20-1 Prominent, left 2nd 8th, ridden and every chance when fell 5 out in race won by Isard du Buard at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) sft, 16 ran.
Sissinghurst Storm (IRE) 6-1 Held up in touch, behind when blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 13l behind Courage Under Fire at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Feb.
Threes Company (IRE) 33-1 Held up in rear, steady headway after 9th, chased winner 3 out, upsides and chance 2 out, weakened before last, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Gee Aker Malayo at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gs in Feb.
