tracked leader, led before 4 out, pushed well clear from next, unchallenged after, very easily
led, tended to jump right, headed before 4 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner from next, kept on when hard pressed for moderate 2nd from 2 out
held up 4th and last, driven 5 out, ridden to take 3rd before next, plugged on to dispute moderate 2nd 2 out, weakened flat
held up in 3rd, lost place before 4 out, soon weakened
Un Ace fell early in the race on his fencing bow at Cheltenham and also made mistakes when scoring at Huntingdon at the start of the month. He may be worth opposing under a penalty and A Tail Of Intrigue has been on the go for a while and may be due a rest. Minella Forfitness is not the force of old so we'll concentrate on the two mares, who both tackle fences for the first time. Flementime won over hurdles at Southwell in February but we prefer FREE THINKING. She's changed stables since the end of last season but was often highly tried when trained by Nicky Henderson and Sam Waley-Cohen is her regular partner. She's won here over timber and can now make her mark over the larger obstacles.
Un Ace (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Pressed leader, hit 10th, led after 3 out, driven out flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs beating Chris Pea Green (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Minella Forfitness (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Taken to post early, held up in rear, reminders 3rd, headway 4 out, every chance next, driven 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 25l behind Roman Flight (11-12) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Flementime (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, blundered and weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Pressies Girl (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Free Thinking 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, 4th and tracking leaders 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 9, 28l behind As I Am (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f mares listed nov hdl (1) gd in Apr.
A Tail Of Intrigue (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, closed 4 out, outpaced after next, no impression before 2 out, hampered last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Ned Stark (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) sft.
