hampered 3rd, behind from 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
tracking leaders when fell 3rd
in touch until weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, making headway when hit 8th, weakened after next, tailed off
led until 3rd, with leader, led 7th, not fluent 3 out, drew clear from next, eased flat
prominent, led 3rd until 7th, weakening when hit 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
Cousin Nicky gets the vote here ahead of Wizard Of Edge and Caesarean Hunter. It's a bit of a headscratcher this one as the likes of Caesarean Hunter, Lesdream and Master Billyboy are rated around the same over hurdles but have yet to show a lot in short chasing careers. Missyl makes his chasing debut, so the market should guide, while The Cad has not shown too much. Wizard Of Edge's Taunton handicap chase win off 97 rates as the best chasing form on offer, while A Monk Swimming does not seem good enough. From the Philip Hobbs' stable, Cousin Nicky's form has tailed off after showing promise last spring but, in a race that does not look strong, he is entitled to a lot of consideration. Finally, Manque Pas d'Air has one fair run, which came last spring, to his name but, overall, looks to be up against it. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Cousin Nicky.
Caesarean Hunter (USA) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Lord Rodney (11-10) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Lesdream 25-1 (10-9) In touch until weakened 8th, 5th of 8, 36l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Master Billyboy (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Jumped right 2nd, pecked 3rd, lost touch 9th, no impression, 5th of 10, well behind Racing Demon (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Missyl (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Always behind, driven and struggling from 7th, 5th of 14, 21l behind Dearson (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
The Cad (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) In touch, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next pulled up 2 out in race won by Wee Anthony (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 11 ran.
Wizard of Edge 10-3fav (11-4) Led after 4th, headed approaching last, held when left clear last, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating Randolph O'Brien (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cousin Nicky 40-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 13, well behind The Luder (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Manque Pas D'Air (FR) 16-1 (11-2) fell in race won by Boardroom Dancer (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m amt hcp chs (5) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
A Monk Swimming (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Squantum (10-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan, 13 ran.
