held up, jumped right and hampered, headway approaching 10th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on but no impression
held up and jumped right throughout, weakened and pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders, led 9th, clear approaching 3 out, eased towards finish
with leaders, led 3rd to 4th, ridden approaching 4 out, in 3rd and weakening when blundered last
held up and mistakes, blundered 3rd, hampered 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led until hit and headed 3rd, blundered and rider lost irons next, pulled up before 5th
with leaders, led 4th to 9th, hit 12th, weakened approaching 3 out
These fences can take their toll on an inexperienced field, so with that in mind, we side with Tribal Dispute, who put in an improved effort last time and he is selected in preference to chasing debutante Spring Gamble, who has the physical scope to make an impact over fences and is worth bearing in mind if supported. So too is Fool On The Hill, who was the best of these over hurdles but has not looked a natural in this sphere so far. However, he has been given plenty of time to get over the heavy fall he took at Kempton last December and is respected in this company. Phillip Hobbs would obviously not be sending him up from Somerset were he not confident of a better effort this afternoon and his charge is one to carefully monitor in the betting market. Even so, his confidence for the task in hand has to be taken on trust and he is not one to rush in with at cramped odds. Therefore, we side with Tribal Dispute, who was not given a hard time when his chanced had gone last time. That was still a very encouraging effort and Tim Easterby's charge looks the percentage call today.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 33-1 Held up mid-division, weakened 4 out, 7th of 10, well behind Through The Rye at Carlisle 2m nov chs (C) sft in Feb.
Eight (IRE) 16-1 Always in rear, 11th of 15, 48l behind Jayed at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Feb.
Fool On The Hill 12-1 In touch when fell at the 5th in race won by Duncliffe at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
High Rank 16-1 Made most to 4 out, weakened 3 out, 9th of 18, 47l behind DD's Glenalla at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy in Dec.
Joshua's Bay 9-1 Held up towards rear, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 11th of 12, well behind Krakow Baba at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Kingfisher Sunset 33-1 Led to 3rd, chased leaders, hampered 5th, ridden when hit 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Prince of The Wood at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gd in Aug.
Spring Gamble (IRE) 20-1 Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 9, 24l behind Baby Run at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (D) hvy in Dec.
Tribal Dispute 25-1 Held up, headway 4 out, one pace from next, 4th of 10, 16l behind Through The Rye at Carlisle 2m nov chs (C) sft in Feb.
