prominent, mistake 4th, chased leader 6th, until approaching 10th, ridden and weakened approaching 12th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 5th, chased leader 10th, blundered 12th, led next, ran on well
led, clear 7th, hit 11th, headed 13th, beaten when mistake last
behind from 7th, not jumping well, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 5 out
held up, behind from 9th, weakening when pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on flat
prominent, mistake 4th, 3rd and beaten when mistakes 4 out and 3 out
prominent, slow jump 6th, behind next, pulled up before 10th
This weak event looks well within the scope of McSnappy, with L'Orphelin and Oneway taken to give him most to do. McSnappy finally opened his account when scoring over three miles here a fortnight ago, his task made easier when what would have been one of his main rivals pulled out, leaving him with just two to beat. He duly did so, which was not a surprise, given his earlier effort at Plumpton. Trainer Seamus Mullins has been very patient with the son of Risk Me who was really bought for the Flat, and although this is a drop in trip, he should go close now that the penny has dropped. L'Orphelin was again disappointing at Taunton last time but an earlier second there to Stocks 'n' Shares shows that he does have some ability. He needs to jump better though before being considered as one to back. Oneway has to give weight away all round but was successful at Lingfield under Mark Rimell in December and makes slightly more appeal than Marked Man. The rest are hard to fancy but Robert Alner is sure to have schooled Barnards Green since his fall at Taunton. With Andy Thornton in the plate, McSnappy makes most appeal and can follow up.
