prominent, effort 9th, weakened 10th
mid-division, headway 8th, led 10th, ridden 4 out, kept on gamely
held up in mid-division, headway 11th, weakened 4 out
led to 3rd, led after 7th to 10th, ridden 4 out and soon weakened
in touch, effort 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
prominent, chased leader 8th, ridden 4 out, kept on well, not reach winner
mid-division, effort when mistake and unseated rider 9th
chased leader, led 3rd to after 7th, ridden 11th, weakened approaching 4 out
Nonrunner
Ice Melted is suggested here in preference to Bible Lord and Aztec Warrior. Cousin Nicky needed to drop back to claiming company to get his head in front last time, this trip stretches Coach Lane whilst Wrags To Riches, Skellig Mist and Down The Stretch have a fair bit to prove. That comment could also be applied to one time Hennessy fancy Bible Lord and Aztec Warrior. Andy Turnell's runner has yet to hit top form this season and, consequently, can't be put forwards with confidence. Aztec Warrior has looked to be in the handicapper's grip this season but this drop in grade and application of cheekpieces may assist. The Sawyer hasn't shone in two starts over fences but drops back to a more suitable trip this afternoon and has always appealed as the type to make his mark over fences. He could fare better but we'll take Ice Melted. He was turned over at odds-on over hurdles last time but has never made the frame over timber whereas he's only once finished out of the money over fences. Unlike the majority of the field, he looks to be a horse on the up and Ice Melted is taken to make his return to action a winning one.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, lost place approaching 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by An Accordion (10-3) at Doncaster 3m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jan, 20 ran.
Bible Lord (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Mid-division, blundered 12th, no chance after, 6th of 14, 29l behind Yardbird (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Ice Melted (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, no extra from next, 5th of 17, 11l behind Lago (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f amt hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Cousin Nicky 5-2 (11-10) Led, ridden when hit 2 out, headed flat, rallied to lead again on line, won at Taunton 2m 3f clm chs (3) gs in Jan beating Celtic Son (11-12) by a shd, 4 ran.
Wrags To Riches (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Prominent, led 10th until next, weakened 12th, tailed off when refused at the last in race won by Fundamentalist (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
The Sawyer (BEL) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden after 13th, one pace from next, 6th of 12, 15l behind Ballyfoy (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Down The Stretch 20-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway and effort 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 14l behind Nadover (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Skellig Mist (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, hit 6th, 10th and 12th, ridden next, beaten when badly hampered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Arturio (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Coach Lane 5-2fav (10-10) Held up, headway when blundered 8th, ridden from 4 out, beaten 2 out, soon edged right, 4th of 8, 7l behind Letalus (10-10) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
