prominent, chased winner from 6th, every chance 3 out, ridden approaching last, no extra close home
held up in rear, ridden when hit 5 out
held up, headway 7th, weakened 5 out
held up, mistake 4th, headway 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
prominent, ridden 5 out, weakened 4 out
chased winner to 6th, soon weakened
made all, ridden approaching 4 out, driven out
Several of these have hit form at the right time for this so only a tentative vote goes to Baie Des Singes in the finale. Fluff 'N' Puff is respected but has plenty to do at the weights, so it could be down to Otahuna and Cusp to give the selection the most to think about. The latter was only modest over hurdles and had struggled to win even a minor race in that sphere. Therefore it was something of a shock when she bolted in at Hexham at 40/1 on her chasing debut earlier in the month. Even so, she needs to prove that was not just a one-off performance and the official assessor has taken no chances with her for her first start in a handicap. Otahuna came back from almost 900 days away from action when he won at Towcester just under a fortnight ago. He is sure to have been well schooled for this and, assuming that he does not suffer from the bounce, he could go well today. However, Baie Des Singes has the edge over them all in terms of experience and, with the drop in trip very much in his favour he edges our vote today.
Fluff 'n' Puff 11-4fav Held up, mistake 7th, took closer order next, ridden to chase winner after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 22l behind Tom Sayers at Taunton 3m chs (F) gf.
Cusp 40-1 Mid-division, headway 6th to track leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied after next, led approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 2m beg chs (E) sft beating Tribal Dispute by 5l, 9 ran.
Otahuna 14-1 Held up and keen, headway 6th, led on bit approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, hung left flat, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) sft beating Another Promise by 17l, 9 ran.
Moyliscar 16-1 Held up and keen, hampered 3rd, headway to lead 6th, saddle slipped and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Meggie's Lad at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd, 8 ran.
Baie des Singes 7-1 In touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Meggie's Lad at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Cedar 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Jericho III at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) sft in Feb.
Hisar (IRE) 40-1 Tracked leaders, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Laurier D'estruval at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs.
