raced wide, in touch, reminders after 7th, weakened after 11th, tailed off
jumped left throughout, led, hit 3rd, headed 11th, soon ridden, held by winner from next, weakened and lost 2nd after 2 out
prominent, led 11th, clear next, comfortably
in touch, tracked leaders after 7th, ridden after 10th, soon beaten, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 9th to track leaders, ridden after 11th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 4 out
held up, mistake 5th, headway approaching 8th, soon ridden, stayed on steadily from 4 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
held up, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 11th
Nonrunner
None go to post with solid claims; Tizzy Blue may have her supporters, support for Bacchanalianbertie would be of interest but PISTOL DESBOIS may come out with his guns firing. He has often shaped as though capable of climbing the ranks and has sufficient time on his side to confirm that impression. He scored twice over hurdles last term with both victories coming in this month and it could be that he's a spring horse. He needs to brush up his jumping but may fare better in novice company than he has against experienced handicappers whilst his latest effort came in a very competitive hurdle race and can be ignored to some extent. Bacchanalianbertie was well backed to land a bumper on debut but has failed to build on that promise in subsequent runs over hurdles; the switch to chasing may prove key in unlocking his talent. Tizzy Blue was still travelling well enough when falling at the eighth of sixteen fences on her chase bow at Towcester and could get into the shake-up in first time blinkers. The Randy Bishop beat a fair sort on Boxing Day but hasn't matched that form since whilst the once useful Swift Sailor's resurgence has come in selling hurdles although he was still travelling well when coming to grief on his last start over fences in October. Taipan's Promise made his chase bow in a competitive handicap at Newbury that has worked out well and he shouldn't be judged too harshly on that showing. Few are ruled out, Pistol Desbois may be the one.
Bacchanalianbertie (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 34l behind Carrickboy (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Dream Falcon 15-2 (10-12) Jumped left, led to 2nd, pressed leader until 7th, lost place 10th, mistake next, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Supreme Duke (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Feb.
Picts Hill 33-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Swift Sailor 6-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Flaming Cheek (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Taipan's Promise (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) In touch until lost place 6th, blundered 9th and next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Buck The Legend (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
The Randy Bishop 16-1 (10-4) Held up, raced keenly, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 27l behind Patsy Finnegan (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Whatcanisay 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division until dropped rear after 7th, soon ridden, never a danger after, 6th of 12, 20l behind Marsh Court (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Tizzy Blue (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, close 3rd when fell at the 8th in race won by Tastes Like More (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f mrs beg chs (4) hvy in Feb, 4 ran.
Pistol Desbois (FR) 20-1 (10-0) With leader, led after 3rd, blundered 3 out, soon headed, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 28l behind Synchronised (10-4) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
