held up, headway out of 6th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
keen in mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, ridden after 6th, soon behind
mid-division, headway approaching 7, led to 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, weakend approaching last
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway after7th, ridden on every chance, 2 out, kept on but no extra flat
led until 4th, chased leader until 6th, soon behind
in touch, hit 6th, soon ridden, weakend approaching 3 out
prominent, led 4th until next, ridden and weakend approaching 3 out
held up, good headway from 7th, led 2 out, ridden and not fluent last, no extra when caught close home
prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, switched left and rallied approaching last, stayed on well to lead on close home
track leader and keen, ridden 6th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last
The Hearty Joker lines up in winning form and can follow up his recent success at the expense of Lancashire Lass, Bonus Trix and Silver Chieftan. Not many make appeal in the finale and the selection has obvious claims. Brendan Powell's inmate had been sadly out of form over fences until finally coming good here recently, helped by the fact that he had slipped to a favourable mark. Connections may well be looking at a similar contest in the near future, and as he now runs over hurdles for the first time since 2001, his chase mark will be protected. However, even though he is switched to the smaller obstacles here, he still makes more appeal than most as, overall, the opposition have little to offer in the way of resistance. Lancashire Lass is still a maiden and is only plating class, while Bonus Trix will do well to give weight away all round. Silver Chieftan comes from a top yard, but is still on a learning curve and will be going over fences in due course. Springbrook Girl has the assistance of Sam Thomas so might go well, but this looks best left to the only recent winner, The Hearty Joker.
