held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader until 4 out, weakened approaching next
in touch, ridden and weakening when hit 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led next, quickened clear approaching last
led, headed 3 out, no chance with winner from next
pulled hard in rear, headway approaching 3 out, in 4th and one pace when fell 2 out
held up, pushed along 4 out, soon beaten
held up, headway approaching 3 out, one pace
The short-list comprises Greenbridge, Final Veto and Sea Venture and is headed by Final Veto. Merchant Red rates a mention but has questions to answer. Final Veto has yet to win a race but has shown up well on a number of occasions, none more so than over this course and distance last time. That was his third run over hurdles so far and his best to date as he came home in third behind Cheltenham bound Rippling Ring and one place in front of the well regarded Kalahari King. Providing he builds on that promise, he should go close. Greenbridge has shown a decent level of form the last twice and should find a race but the drop back in trip doesn't look ideal on the evidence of his latest running. Sea Venture ran a blinder to finish a close up second to Lease Lend on his hurdling bow and did as well as could have been expected behind Sentry Duty and Celestial Halo last time. There's nothing of that quality in this field and he should run a big race but we believe that the last word will go to Final Veto.
Archenemee (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Always in rear, 14th of 16, well behind Cruchain (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft.
Cumbrian Prince 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, outpaced from 7th, last of 5, 36l behind Hopkins (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Final Veto 22-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, driven from 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Rippling Ring (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Greenbridge (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, soon tracking leaders, switched right to challenge 2 out, ridden to lead last, headed flat, kept on, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Overclear (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Merchant Red (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 5th of 14, 21l behind Punchestowns (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd.
Morning Sunshine (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 5f out, 8th of 15, 32l behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
My Bobby 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Domino Dancer (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Sea Venture (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 15, 33l behind Sentry Duty (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
