prominent every chance when blundered and unseated rider 18th
held up, headway 10th, left 2nd 5 out, ridden to challenge last, edged left, ran on
ridden approaching 4 out kept on well
always prominent, stayed on one pace
mid-division, headway 7th, soon ridden, pulled up after 11th
in touch, ridden 16th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 15th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 4out
mid-division, when unseated 2nd
behind, tailed off and pulled up after 11th
in touch until weakening 14th, pulled up 4out
in touch to 7th, soon lost touch
mid-division, mistake and lost place 6th, soon behind
prominent, ridden 12th, lost place 14th, soon weakened
behind, pulled up before 15th
held up towards rear, headway 11th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
mistake first, always towards rear, behind when unseated rider 13th
mid-division, headway approaching 18th, ridden and mistake, 4 out one paced
mid-division, mistaken and lost place 5th, soon in rear, pulled up 12th
in rear when unseated rider 15th
keen mid-division, took closer order 11th, ridden 15th, soon weakened, pulled up 5 out
mid-division and never dangerous
always towards rear, pulled up 5 out
There is a large turnout of 22 for the opener, and there are sure to be some tired legs at the end of what is a testing journey of just over three and a quarter miles. Barton Nic gave Paul Keane his first ever winner as trainer and has been in good heart lately, but this former hunter chaser has been confined to moderate hurdles company and may struggle back over the bigger obstacles. Spilaw has put in one or two decent efforts, stays, albeit one-paced, and will get round in his own time, while See You Around comes from a stable who can get them to jump and has possible each-way claims. Over Zealous meanwhile, was fancied at Newcastle but paid the penalty for racing too freely in the testing conditions. An earlier success at Warwick means that he should not be left out of calculations, nor should Our Jolly Swagman. Seamus Mullins' charge gained his first victory away from Plumpton when scoring at Folkestone two weeks ago, the combination of cheekpieces and a new rider (Andy Thornton) perhaps sweetening him up. Whether he can repeat the feat is open to question though, as his wins do come with alarming irregularity. Flora Muck fell behind Kadito on only her third outing over fences and probably needs more experience, so in an open event it may pay to side with Auburn Spirit. Mark Usher's eight-year-old looked set to gain his first win since last February when just outbattled by Time To Parlez at Plumpton last time. You could not knock his enthusiasm on that occasion, and if he shows the same willingness here, will not be far away.
