chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
behind four, some headway 3 out, one pace
led, pushed along and slight lead, when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and slight outpaced approaching 3 out, hampered 2 out, stayed on but no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 5th
behind from 4th
in touch until weakened quickly approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, good headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, left 2nd and hampered next, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 5th, pressed leader and jumped left from 3 out, ridden and left clear 2 out, eased flat
held up, headway approaching 3rd ridden after 3 out, weakened last
An interesting finale in which the 'West-Country Mafia' of Pipe, Hobbs and Nicholls are well represented, with Time To Reflect selected ahead of Onwardsandupwards and Widemouth Bay. It is difficult gauge the merit of Time To Reflect's recent bumper debut victory at Chepstow, but he could not have won more easily, and must have already been extensively schooled over timber for Pipe to turn him out again so quickly. He would have carried a penalty in his next bumper, so makes some appeal here, meeting his main rivals off level weights. The best of them may turn out to be Onwardsandupwards who was put away after winning cleverly by a neck on his Taunton debut. One of five bought from Tom Costello in Ireland, four of whom have since won, he can pay to follow over hurdles this season. Widemouth Bay trotted up on his bumper debut at Wincanton and was subsequently third to Liberman in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Another who is sure to have been well schooled, he might prove good enough to go for the Sun Alliance Hurdle when stepped up in trip. This is definitely a race to make a note of for future winners, but the one they have to beat on this occasion is Time To Reflect who has fitness on his side.
