tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up behind leaders, took closer order 9th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, all out
chased leader until after 11th, soon cajoled along, beaten 4 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, rallied gamely flat, held close home
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, kept on
The major question here is has the handicapper finally caught up with Zimbabwe and the probability is that he will be able to find enough to see off this field, with Howrwenow and Dancing Rock appearing as his biggest challengers. Zimbabwe has now racked up four wins from five starts and loves bottomless ground. A 7lb rise for a narrow margin win may look like the end of that sequence but he loves this track and in truth the opposition is not hot so he this again looks good placement by trainer Nigel Hawke. Howrwenow won by 16 lengths at Hereford last time and after leg trouble he has come back well. However, that was a weak affair and he is unraced on heavy ground, so he is opposed here. Dancing Rock is another unraced on heavy and has still to really prove he enjoys it even soft, but he has some form in the locker when you look back that gives him a bit of a squeak, but our vote goes to Zimbabwe to extend his great run.
Avitta (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Tracked winner, pushed along after 4th, lost place 4 out, 6th of 9, 39l behind Clouding Over (9-7) at Southwell 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Howrwenow (IRE) 7-4 (11-6) In touch, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec beating Goforthegap (11-6) by 16l, 8 ran.
Zimbabwe (FR) 11-2 (10-9) With leader, led 8th to 11th, remained pressing, led again before last, all out, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
Charlies Future 5-1 (11-1) Led, headed approaching 6th, weakened before 8th, beaten when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Parkinson (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Dancing Rock 16-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Nonantais (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft.
