in touch, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden approach 3 out, stayed on well to take 2nd towards finish
led, headed 5th, remained with leader, until ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
always towards rear, reminder after 4th, hit 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, led again next, ridden out
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on and no impression from next
held up, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, chased winner last, lost 2nd towards finish
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, weakened last
held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
always behind, hit 6th, soon ridden, weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, some headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
with leader, hit 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Plenty of these have chances including Minivet, Knightsbridge King and Xaipete but the vote goes to Bustling Rio, who is taken to give weight away all round. The selection has his first outing over hurdles since finishing down the field behind Mughas at Aintree in November but has been ticking over nicely on the all-weather recently and comes here on the back of a win at Southwell last month. Well in on official BHB ratings, he is preferred to the enigmatic Minivet. Tim Easterby's gelding is more than capable of playing a part in the finish here but is none to consistent. Xaipete is equally effective over hurdles as over the larger obstacles and, with ground conditions to suit, can be expected to run his usual race. Knightsbridge King is consistent but tends to find at least one too good and a bigger threat may come from the Ian Williams-trained Monsieur Tagel, who comes here fresher than most. Shaffishayes and Rayware Boy are others to consider but we prefer to side with Bustling Rio, who looks too classy for his rivals.