held up in last, not fluent 4th, mistake 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
made all, clear approaching 2 out, joined last, all out
tracked leading pair until 9th, weakened after 11th, tailed off
held up in rear, behind 9th, went modest 4th approaching 4 out, closed 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, soon edged right, held after
tracked winner, jumped right and not fluent 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened last
held up in 4th, stumbled 3rd, went 3rd 9th, not fluent 11th, disputing 2nd 2 out, no extra flat
FIGHTING CHANCE gets the nomination over Buailteoir and Digital Media. There are question marks over a number of the runners here, but our selection has twice been placed over the chase fences and he may well have won at Southwell last time out had he not unseated his rider three from home. He is returning from a break today but if he is fit enough to do himself justice then his name would be a fair assessment to his prospects here. Buailteoir looks the chief rival to our selection but his best form has been on fast ground and for that reason we will take him on. Digital Media will relish the ground but he failed to run his race at Uttoxeter last month and he is hard to recommend with confidence off the back of that effort. Alam has not been seen out since Boxing Day last year so he is likely to need the run today, and we will return to Fighting Chance to lead them home.
Buailteoir (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, hampered 1st, hampered 11th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner before last, no impression when hard ridden and hung left flat, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Knighton Combe (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Led, every chance when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Tigu (11-9) at Southwell 2m 5f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May, 9 ran.
Alam (USA) 28-1 (11-1) Led after 4th, headed 5th, weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Alcatras (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Red Rattle (IRE) 40-1 (11-11) In touch, lost place before 5th, well behind 7th, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 7th of 20, 20l behind Gallileo Figaro (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
The Arsonist (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, in touch 4 out, beaten 3 out, 6th of 8, 17l behind Young Albert (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Digital Media (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, pushed along after 6th, well beaten after 8th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Silver Steel (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
